Topical Bible: Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Jehoshaphat

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Topical Encyclopedia

Jehoshaphat, the fourth king of the Kingdom of Judah, is a significant biblical figure whose reign is marked by both commendable devotion to God and questionable alliances with the enemies of God. His account is primarily found in the books of 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles.

Background and Reign

Jehoshaphat was the son of Asa and succeeded him as king. His reign is noted for religious reforms and efforts to bring the people of Judah back to the worship of Yahweh. He fortified the kingdom, established a system of judges, and sent out teachers to instruct the people in the Law of the Lord (2 Chronicles 17:7-9). The Berean Standard Bible records, "The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father and walked by His commandments rather than the practices of Israel" (2 Chronicles 17:3-4).

Alliance with Ahab

Despite his piety, Jehoshaphat's reign is marred by his alliances with the northern Kingdom of Israel, particularly with King Ahab, a ruler known for his idolatry and wickedness. Jehoshaphat's alliance with Ahab was cemented through the marriage of his son Jehoram to Ahab's daughter Athaliah (2 Chronicles 18:1). This political alliance led Jehoshaphat to join Ahab in a military campaign against Ramoth-gilead, despite the prophet Micaiah's warning of disaster (1 Kings 22:29-33).

The consequences of this alliance were severe. Ahab was killed in battle, and Jehoshaphat narrowly escaped with his life. Upon his return, he was rebuked by the prophet Jehu, who said, "Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you" (2 Chronicles 19:2).

Further Alliances and Consequences

Jehoshaphat's inclination to form alliances with Israel continued even after Ahab's death. He joined forces with Ahab's son, Ahaziah, in a maritime venture to build ships for trade. However, this alliance was also condemned by God, and the ships were wrecked before they could set sail (2 Chronicles 20:35-37). The prophet Eliezer declared, "Because you have made an alliance with Ahaziah, the LORD has destroyed your works" (2 Chronicles 20:37).

Lessons and Reflections

Jehoshaphat's alliances with the enemies of God serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of compromising with ungodly influences. Despite his sincere devotion and reforms, his political decisions brought unnecessary trouble and divine disapproval. His life illustrates the tension between maintaining faithfulness to God and the temptation to seek security through worldly alliances.

Jehoshaphat's account is a reminder of the importance of seeking God's guidance in all decisions and the potential consequences of aligning with those who oppose His ways. His reign, while marked by significant achievements, underscores the biblical principle that obedience to God should never be compromised for political or personal gain.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 18:3
And Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Will you go with me to Ramothgilead? And he answered him, I am as you are, and my people as your people; and we will be with you in the war.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 19:2
And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Should you help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath on you from before the LORD.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 20:35-37
And after this did Jehoshaphat king of Judah join himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who did very wickedly:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Divided Kingdom.
... This shatters the alliance between the two nations and causes a ... (7) The different
enemies with which ... The sins of cruelty and injustice in society and government ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xiii the divided kingdom.htm

Covenant Duties.
... her interests, are the strongest that society can put ... denunciations and warnings
addressed to his enemies; he urges ... civil power; that seek the alliance of any ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iv covenant duties.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... not dare to shelter the vanquished enemies of his ... we have seen, Jehoshaphat, encouraged
by his alliance with the ... of the corresponding grades of society in Syria ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm