Jehoshaphat
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.
Alliances
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. This alliance led to much disgrace, and brought disaster on his kingdom (1 Kings 22:1-33) with the Battle of Ramoth-Gilead. While Jehoshaphat safely returned from this battle, he was confronted by the prophet Jehu, son of Hanni, (2 Chr. 19:1-3) who reproached him for this alliance. We are told that Jehoshaphat repented, and returned to his former course of opposition to all idolatry, and promoting the worship of God and in the government of his people (2 Chr. 19:4-11).
Again he entered into an alliance with Ahaziah, the king of Israel, for the purpose of carrying on maritime commerce with Ophir. But the fleet that was then equipped at Ezion-Gever was immediately 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).
He subsequently joined Jehoram, king of Israel, in a war against the Moabites, who were under tribute to Israel. This war was successful. The Moabites were subdued; but seeing Mesha's act of offering his own son in a human sacrifice on the walls of Kir-haresheth filled Jehoshaphat with horror, and he withdrew and returned to his own land (2 Kings 3:4-27).
Last notable event of his reign
The last notable event of his reign occurred when the Moabites formed a great and powerful confederacy with the surrounding nations, and marched against Jehoshaphat (2 Chr. 20). The allied forces were encamped at Ein Gedi. The king and his people were filled with alarm, and betook themselves to God in prayer. The king prayed in the court of the temple, "O our God, wilt thou not judge them? For we have no might against this great company that cometh against us." Amid the silence that followed, the voice of Jahaziel the Levite was heard announcing that the next day all this great host would be overthrown. So it was, for they quarrelled among themselves, and slew one another, leaving to the people of Judah only to gather the rich spoils of the slain. This was recognized as a great deliverance wrought for them by God (890 B.C.E.). Soon after this victory Jehoshaphat died after a reign of twenty-five years at the age of sixty (1 Kings 22:50).
| House of David Cadet Branch of the Tribe of Judah | ||
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Jehoshaphat! is also the standard exclamation (for any emotion) of Elijah Baley in the science fiction books by Isaac Asimov.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Jewish Encyclopedia: "Jehoshaphat"
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