Jehoshaphat

Life and work

Jehoshaphat succeeded his father Asa and reigned twenty-five years, strengthening Judah militarily and sending officials, Levites, and priests throughout the towns of Judah to teach the Book of the Law to the people (2 Chronicles 17:1-9). The text says other nations feared him and brought tribute, and Judah prospered under his rule (2 Chronicles 17:10-19).

Jehoshaphat made a marriage alliance with Ahab's family, sealed by his son Jehoram marrying Ahab's daughter Athaliah, and later joined Ahab in a military campaign against Aram at Ramoth-gilead; disguised in his own royal robes at Jehoshaphat's insistence, Ahab was killed by a stray arrow, while Jehoshaphat narrowly escaped after crying out to the LORD (1 Kings 22:1-33; 2 Chronicles 18:1-34).

When a massive coalition of Moabites, Ammonites, and others invaded Judah, Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast and prayed publicly, 'we do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you'; the LORD promised deliverance through the prophet Jahaziel, and the invading armies turned on each other and were destroyed without Judah having to fight (2 Chronicles 20:1-30).

Jehoshaphat later partnered with King Ahaziah of Israel to build ships for trade at Ezion-geber, but the prophet Eliezer condemned the alliance and the ships were wrecked before they ever sailed (1 Kings 22:48-49; 2 Chronicles 20:35-37).

Dating

Became king at 35 and reigned 25 years (1 Kings 22:42), a contemporary and eventual in-law of Ahab's house despite Elijah and Elisha's warnings against the alliance.

Extra-biblical evidence

No confirmed extra-biblical inscription naming Jehoshaphat has been identified, though his contemporary Ahab of Israel is independently attested in the Kurkh Monolith of Shalmaneser III.

Scripture references

• 1 Kings 22:1-50 — Alliance with Ahab and campaign at Ramoth-gilead
• 2 Chronicles 17:1-19 — Reforms and teaching the law throughout Judah
• 2 Chronicles 20:1-30 — Deliverance from the Moabite-Ammonite coalition
• Matthew 1:8 — Named in Jesus's genealogy

Further reading

• Encyclopaedia Britannica: Jehoshaphat