Difference between revisions of "Jehoshaphat" - New World Encyclopedia
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Ascending the throne at the age of 35 years (1 Kings 22:42) Jehoshaphat spent his first regnal years fortifying his northern cities against a possible attack from the [[Kingdom of Israel|Israel]] (2 Chron. 17:1, 2) which his father, Asa, had captured earlier. He reprotedly refrained from "consulting the [[Baal]]s" and destroyed sacred pillars dedicated to the goddess [[Ashera]]. (2 Chron 17:2-6) [[Books of Kings|1 Kings]] 22:43 disagrees with Chronicles as to whether he removed unauthorized altars located at various[[high place]]s. Chronicles, taking the more approving view, reports that in the third year of his reign he sent out priests and [[Levite]]s over the land to instruct the people in the [[Torah|Law]] (2 Chr. 17:7-9). He also solidified his monarchy's administrative apparatus and greatly enriched Judah's treasury. | Ascending the throne at the age of 35 years (1 Kings 22:42) Jehoshaphat spent his first regnal years fortifying his northern cities against a possible attack from the [[Kingdom of Israel|Israel]] (2 Chron. 17:1, 2) which his father, Asa, had captured earlier. He reprotedly refrained from "consulting the [[Baal]]s" and destroyed sacred pillars dedicated to the goddess [[Ashera]]. (2 Chron 17:2-6) [[Books of Kings|1 Kings]] 22:43 disagrees with Chronicles as to whether he removed unauthorized altars located at various[[high place]]s. Chronicles, taking the more approving view, reports that in the third year of his reign he sent out priests and [[Levite]]s over the land to instruct the people in the [[Torah|Law]] (2 Chr. 17:7-9). He also solidified his monarchy's administrative apparatus and greatly enriched Judah's treasury. | ||
| − | === | + | ===Alliance with Ahab=== |
| − | Having thus strengthened his domistic situation, Jehoshaphat persued a diplomatic policy of peace with the northern kingdom, allying with Israel against Syria, Moab, and Ammon. Judah was the weaker partner in this alliance, due to Israel's superior resources and its better access to Meditarreanian trade | + | [[Image:Ahab-Micaiah.gif|thumb|300px|Jehosphat and Ahab hear the prophecy of Micaiah be Imlah]] |
| + | Having thus strengthened his domistic situation, Jehoshaphat persued a diplomatic policy of peace with the northern kingdom, allying with Israel against Syria, Moab, and Ammon. Judah was the weaker partner in this alliance, due to Israel's superior resources and its better access to Meditarreanian trade. | ||
| − | + | In the third year of his reign Jehosaphat traveled to the northern capital to meet with King Ahab of Israel. In addition to military and trade agreements, Jehosphat married his son Jehoram of Judah to Ahab's daughter Athaliah, who would later rule as Queen of Judah. A key ingredient in the alliance was Jehoshaphat's agreement to join Ahab against the Syrian king [[Ben-Hadad]] in the battle of [[Ramoth-Gilead]]. The biblical writers are ambivalent as to whether this alliance was inspired by God. Ahab had previously received prophetic support in battles against Beh-Haded, but was strongly denounced by Elijah for supporting Baal worship. '1 Kings' 22:1-33 describes 100 prophets of Yahweh approving the plan to march against Ben-Hadad, against one dissenting voice voice, that of Micaiah Ben Imlah. Yet even Micaiah admits that God wants Ahab to attack the Syrians, for it is God's plan that Ahab be defeated. Jehoshaphat fights bravely at Ahab's side in full kingly regalia, while Ahab disguises himself as a common charioteer. | |
| + | [[Image:Jehoshaphat-prophet.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The prophet Jehu confronts Jehoshaphat for allying with [[Ahab]].]] | ||
| + | Ahab, neverless, is killed, while Jehoshaphat safely returns from this battle. Back in Jerusalem, the king is confronted by the prophet [[Jehu (prophet)|Jehu]], son of [[Hanni]], (2 Chr. 19:1-3)—not to be confused with the Jehu who later reign in Israel—who reproached him for this alliance. | ||
| − | God's wrath does not seem to do the king any harm, however, as we are told immediately that Jehoshaphat "turned back to the Lord." He also carried out a significant judicial reform, appointing judges throughout the land and ordering them: "Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging for man but for the Lord... There is no injustice or partiality or bribery." (2 Chron. 19:6-7) He also strengthened the system of religious law centering on the [[Temple of Jerusalem]] by appointing Levites, priests, and clan heads to administer justice there. | + | *Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, the wrath of the Lord is upon you. |
| + | |||
| + | God's wrath does not seem to do the king any harm, however, as we are told immediately that Jehoshaphat "turned back to the Lord." | ||
| + | |||
| + | He also carried out a significant judicial reform, appointing judges throughout the land and ordering them: "Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging for man but for the Lord... There is no injustice or partiality or bribery." (2 Chron. 19:6-7) He also strengthened the system of religious law centering on the [[Temple of Jerusalem]] by appointing Levites, priests, and clan heads to administer justice there. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Continued alliance with Israel=== | ||
Jehoshaphat also entered into an alliance with Ahab's son [[Ahaziah of Israel]], for the purpose of carrying on maritime commerce with [[Ophir]]. However, the fleet that was equipped at [[Ezion-Gever]] was wrecked. A new fleet was fitted out without the cooperation of the king of Israel, and although it was successful, the trade was not prosecuted (2 Chr. 20:35-37; ''1 Kings'' 22:48-49). | Jehoshaphat also entered into an alliance with Ahab's son [[Ahaziah of Israel]], for the purpose of carrying on maritime commerce with [[Ophir]]. However, the fleet that was equipped at [[Ezion-Gever]] was wrecked. A new fleet was fitted out without the cooperation of the king of Israel, and although it was successful, the trade was not prosecuted (2 Chr. 20:35-37; ''1 Kings'' 22:48-49). | ||
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When Ahaziah died, Jehoshaphat joined [[Jehoram of Israel|Jehoram]], king of Israel, in a war against the [[Moab]]ites, who were under tribute to Israel. This effort received the grudging approval of the prophet [[Elisha]], and was successful. The Moabites were subdued, but upon seeing [[Mesha]]'s act of offering his own son in a [[human sacrifice]] on the walls of [[Kir-haresheth]] Jehoshaphat was filled with dread, and he withdrew to his own land (''2 Kings'' 3:4-27). | When Ahaziah died, Jehoshaphat joined [[Jehoram of Israel|Jehoram]], king of Israel, in a war against the [[Moab]]ites, who were under tribute to Israel. This effort received the grudging approval of the prophet [[Elisha]], and was successful. The Moabites were subdued, but upon seeing [[Mesha]]'s act of offering his own son in a [[human sacrifice]] on the walls of [[Kir-haresheth]] Jehoshaphat was filled with dread, and he withdrew to his own land (''2 Kings'' 3:4-27). | ||
| − | == | + | ===Defeating the Edomite confederacy=== |
[[Image:Triomphe de Josaphat.jpg|thumb|Triumph of Jehosaphat over [[Adad]] of Syria. Illustration by [[Jean Fouquet]] (1470s) for [[Flavius Josephus]]'s ''[[Jewish Antiquities]]''.]] | [[Image:Triomphe de Josaphat.jpg|thumb|Triumph of Jehosaphat over [[Adad]] of Syria. Illustration by [[Jean Fouquet]] (1470s) for [[Flavius Josephus]]'s ''[[Jewish Antiquities]]''.]] | ||
| − | The last notable event of | + | Throughout Jehosphat's reign, Judah maintain a position of superiority over the country of Edom. Judah also helped Israel maintain its position of superiority against it vassals, Ammon and Moab. The last notable event of Jehoshaphat's reign occurred when a powerful coalition of Edomites, together with Ammonite and Moabite allies, rebelled against his rule. (2 Chr. 20) The allied forces were encamped at [[Ein Gedi]]. The king and his people were filled with alarm. Jehoshaphat prayed in the new court of the Temple, which he had financed. Amid the silence that followed, the prophetic voice of [[Jahaziel]] the Levite was heard announcing that the next day all this invading host would be overthrown. The Bible reports that the attacker coalition broke down and they began fighting violently among themselves, the Ammonites and Moabites against the "men of Mount Seir" (Edomites). Many Edomites were slain in the battle, leaving to the people of Judah only to gather the rich spoils of the slain: "There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it." (2 Chron. 20:25) Soon after this victory Jehoshaphat died after a reign of twenty-five years at the age of sixty (''1 Kings'' 22:50). |
| + | |||
| + | ==Legacy== | ||
| + | Like his ancestor, King David, Jehoshaphat's family faced trouble, division, and bitter intrigue. His son Jehoram of Judah was married to Athaliah, the daughter of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel of Israel. Joram, like his father, maintained an alliance with Israel, in the person of | ||
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{{start}} | {{start}} | ||
| − | |||
{{s-bef|before=[[Asa of Judah|Asa]]}} | {{s-bef|before=[[Asa of Judah|Asa]]}} | ||
{{s-ttl|title=[[Kingdom of Judah#The Kings of Judah|King of Judah]]|years=<small>[[William F. Albright|Albright]]: </small>873 B.C.E. – 849 B.C.E.<br/><small>[[Edwin R. Thiele|Thiele]]: </small>c.870 B.C.E. – 848 B.C.E.<br/><small>[[Gershon Galil|Galil]]: </small>c.870 B.C.E. – 845 B.C.E.}} | {{s-ttl|title=[[Kingdom of Judah#The Kings of Judah|King of Judah]]|years=<small>[[William F. Albright|Albright]]: </small>873 B.C.E. – 849 B.C.E.<br/><small>[[Edwin R. Thiele|Thiele]]: </small>c.870 B.C.E. – 848 B.C.E.<br/><small>[[Gershon Galil|Galil]]: </small>c.870 B.C.E. – 845 B.C.E.}} | ||
Revision as of 05:26, 18 April 2007
Jehoshaphat—also speled Jehosaphat or Yehoshafat (יְהוֹשָׁפָט "Jehovah is judge," Hebrew Yəhošafat)—was the son and successor of Asa, king of Judah. William F. Albright has dated the reign of Jehoshaphat to 873 B.C.E.-849 B.C.E., while E. R. Thiele offers the dates 870 B.C.E.-848 B.C.E.
One of the relatively "good" kings in the Bible, he was a descendant of King David, and his own children included King Jehoram of Judah. Jehoshaphat pursued a policy of cooperation with the northern Kingdom of Judah that was generally successful externally, but brought the disapproval of the biblical writers and at least one prophet. On the other hand, he strongly promoted with worship of Yahweh and the repression of pagan religion, earning praise as one who "walked in the ways of his father David." The king is not connected with the Valley of Jehosaphat, where according Joel 3: 2 the God of Israel will gather all nations for judgment.
His mother's name was Azubah daughter of Shilhi.
Reign
Ascending the throne at the age of 35 years (1 Kings 22:42) Jehoshaphat spent his first regnal years fortifying his northern cities against a possible attack from the Israel (2 Chron. 17:1, 2) which his father, Asa, had captured earlier. He reprotedly refrained from "consulting the Baals" and destroyed sacred pillars dedicated to the goddess Ashera. (2 Chron 17:2-6) 1 Kings 22:43 disagrees with Chronicles as to whether he removed unauthorized altars located at varioushigh places. Chronicles, taking the more approving view, reports that in the third year of his reign he sent out priests and Levites over the land to instruct the people in the Law (2 Chr. 17:7-9). He also solidified his monarchy's administrative apparatus and greatly enriched Judah's treasury.
Alliance with Ahab
Having thus strengthened his domistic situation, Jehoshaphat persued a diplomatic policy of peace with the northern kingdom, allying with Israel against Syria, Moab, and Ammon. Judah was the weaker partner in this alliance, due to Israel's superior resources and its better access to Meditarreanian trade.
In the third year of his reign Jehosaphat traveled to the northern capital to meet with King Ahab of Israel. In addition to military and trade agreements, Jehosphat married his son Jehoram of Judah to Ahab's daughter Athaliah, who would later rule as Queen of Judah. A key ingredient in the alliance was Jehoshaphat's agreement to join Ahab against the Syrian king Ben-Hadad in the battle of Ramoth-Gilead. The biblical writers are ambivalent as to whether this alliance was inspired by God. Ahab had previously received prophetic support in battles against Beh-Haded, but was strongly denounced by Elijah for supporting Baal worship. '1 Kings' 22:1-33 describes 100 prophets of Yahweh approving the plan to march against Ben-Hadad, against one dissenting voice voice, that of Micaiah Ben Imlah. Yet even Micaiah admits that God wants Ahab to attack the Syrians, for it is God's plan that Ahab be defeated. Jehoshaphat fights bravely at Ahab's side in full kingly regalia, while Ahab disguises himself as a common charioteer.
Ahab, neverless, is killed, while Jehoshaphat safely returns from this battle. Back in Jerusalem, the king is confronted by the prophet Jehu, son of Hanni, (2 Chr. 19:1-3)—not to be confused with the Jehu who later reign in Israel—who reproached him for this alliance.
- Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, the wrath of the Lord is upon you.
God's wrath does not seem to do the king any harm, however, as we are told immediately that Jehoshaphat "turned back to the Lord."
He also carried out a significant judicial reform, appointing judges throughout the land and ordering them: "Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging for man but for the Lord... There is no injustice or partiality or bribery." (2 Chron. 19:6-7) He also strengthened the system of religious law centering on the Temple of Jerusalem by appointing Levites, priests, and clan heads to administer justice there.
Continued alliance with Israel
Jehoshaphat also entered into an alliance with Ahab's son Ahaziah of Israel, for the purpose of carrying on maritime commerce with Ophir. However, the fleet that was equipped at Ezion-Gever was wrecked. A new fleet was fitted out without the cooperation of the king of Israel, and although it was successful, the trade was not prosecuted (2 Chr. 20:35-37; 1 Kings 22:48-49).
When Ahaziah died, Jehoshaphat joined Jehoram, king of Israel, in a war against the Moabites, who were under tribute to Israel. This effort received the grudging approval of the prophet Elisha, and was successful. The Moabites were subdued, but upon seeing Mesha's act of offering his own son in a human sacrifice on the walls of Kir-haresheth Jehoshaphat was filled with dread, and he withdrew to his own land (2 Kings 3:4-27).
Defeating the Edomite confederacy
Throughout Jehosphat's reign, Judah maintain a position of superiority over the country of Edom. Judah also helped Israel maintain its position of superiority against it vassals, Ammon and Moab. The last notable event of Jehoshaphat's reign occurred when a powerful coalition of Edomites, together with Ammonite and Moabite allies, rebelled against his rule. (2 Chr. 20) The allied forces were encamped at Ein Gedi. The king and his people were filled with alarm. Jehoshaphat prayed in the new court of the Temple, which he had financed. Amid the silence that followed, the prophetic voice of Jahaziel the Levite was heard announcing that the next day all this invading host would be overthrown. The Bible reports that the attacker coalition broke down and they began fighting violently among themselves, the Ammonites and Moabites against the "men of Mount Seir" (Edomites). Many Edomites were slain in the battle, leaving to the people of Judah only to gather the rich spoils of the slain: "There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it." (2 Chron. 20:25) Soon after this victory Jehoshaphat died after a reign of twenty-five years at the age of sixty (1 Kings 22:50).
Legacy
Like his ancestor, King David, Jehoshaphat's family faced trouble, division, and bitter intrigue. His son Jehoram of Judah was married to Athaliah, the daughter of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel of Israel. Joram, like his father, maintained an alliance with Israel, in the person of
| Preceded by: Asa |
King of Judah Albright: 873 B.C.E. – 849 B.C.E. Thiele: c.870 B.C.E. – 848 B.C.E. Galil: c.870 B.C.E. – 845 B.C.E. |
Succeeded by: Jehoram |
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Jewish Encyclopedia: "Jehoshaphat"
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