I Kings 22:41-46
“And Jehoshaphat the son of Asa began to reign over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel. Jehoshaphat was thirty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.
And he walked in all the ways of Asa his father; he turned not aside from it, doing that which was right in the eyes of the LORD: nevertheless the high places were not taken away; for the people offered and burnt incense yet in the high places.” (I Kings 22:41-43)
Asa had been a very good king over Judah, following God’s commands and trusting God to defeat the Ethiopian and Libyan alliance. Unfortunately, when he became older, he began to put his faith in human power rather than God. His son Jehoshaphat followed his example in serving God. Though he reigned for twenty five years, he was never able to completely stop people from secretly worshipping nature in the high places. II Chronicles 17 describes the tenor of his reign.
“And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel. And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken.
And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim; But sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel. Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance. And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.
Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah. And with them he sent Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests. And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the LORD with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people. “ (II Chronicles 17:1-9)
Not only did Jehoshaphat serve the Lord himself, he spent a great deal of effort making sure the people knew what God said, sending a group out to teach throughout the nation. God blessed his efforts in mighty way, with the people going out of their way to do things for him in appreciation.
“And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat. Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats. And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store. And he had much business in the cities of Judah: and the men of war, mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem.” (II Chronicles 17:10-13)
Because he was so blessed of God, other countries didn’t dare attack him, and some traditional enemies such as the Philistines actively sought assurances of peace. The Arabs brought him huge flocks of sheep and goats as a token of good will. He built large fortresses throughout the land, and the economy flourished., with large warehouses to keep surplus food for emergencies.
"And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah the chief, and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand. And next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand. And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the LORD; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour. And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand. And next him was Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war. These waited on the king, beside those whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah.” (II Chronicles 17:14-19)
Besides building castles and warehouses for food throughout the land. Jehoshaphat established a million man army based in Jerusalem. They were able to respond to any threat in a timely manner.
“And Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel.” (I Kings 22:44)
Like the other kings, Ahab saw how God was blessing Jehoshaphat and made a treaty with him. It was that treaty that led Ahab to ask Jehoshaphat to help in recovering Ramothgilead from the Syrians, as II Chronicles 18:1-2 describes. “Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab. And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that he had with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramothgilead.”
Because Jehoshaphat put making peace ahead of standing for what was right, God was upset with him according to II Chronicles 19:2-3. “And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD. Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God.”
“Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, and his might that he showed, and how he warred, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?” (I Kings 22:45)
Jehoshaphat made a concerted effort to turn Judah back completely to serving God. In addition to sending teams of leaders and Levites to teach them about God, he established local judges to uphold the law, reminding them that they were accountable to God for their decisions.
“And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beersheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers.
And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city, And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment. Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.
Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the LORD, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem. And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart. And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the LORD, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass. And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the king's matters: also the Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and the LORD shall be with the good.” (II Chronicles 19:4-11)
A Supreme court or court of appeals was established at Jerusalem to reconcile difference between God’s law and governmental decisions, and to settle disagreements over which laws were to be applied in different situations.
“And the remnant of the sodomites, which remained in the days of his father Asa, he took out of the land.” (I Kings 22:46)
While he was never able to completely eradicate secret worship of nature and the high places, Jehoshaphat was able to eradicate the homosexuals that his father had been unable to get rid of.
“And Jehoshaphat the son of Asa began to reign over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel. Jehoshaphat was thirty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.
And he walked in all the ways of Asa his father; he turned not aside from it, doing that which was right in the eyes of the LORD: nevertheless the high places were not taken away; for the people offered and burnt incense yet in the high places.” (I Kings 22:41-43)
Asa had been a very good king over Judah, following God’s commands and trusting God to defeat the Ethiopian and Libyan alliance. Unfortunately, when he became older, he began to put his faith in human power rather than God. His son Jehoshaphat followed his example in serving God. Though he reigned for twenty five years, he was never able to completely stop people from secretly worshipping nature in the high places. II Chronicles 17 describes the tenor of his reign.
“And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel. And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken.
And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim; But sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel. Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance. And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.
Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah. And with them he sent Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests. And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the LORD with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people. “ (II Chronicles 17:1-9)
Not only did Jehoshaphat serve the Lord himself, he spent a great deal of effort making sure the people knew what God said, sending a group out to teach throughout the nation. God blessed his efforts in mighty way, with the people going out of their way to do things for him in appreciation.
“And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat. Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats. And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store. And he had much business in the cities of Judah: and the men of war, mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem.” (II Chronicles 17:10-13)
Because he was so blessed of God, other countries didn’t dare attack him, and some traditional enemies such as the Philistines actively sought assurances of peace. The Arabs brought him huge flocks of sheep and goats as a token of good will. He built large fortresses throughout the land, and the economy flourished., with large warehouses to keep surplus food for emergencies.
"And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah the chief, and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand. And next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand. And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the LORD; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour. And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand. And next him was Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war. These waited on the king, beside those whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah.” (II Chronicles 17:14-19)
Besides building castles and warehouses for food throughout the land. Jehoshaphat established a million man army based in Jerusalem. They were able to respond to any threat in a timely manner.
“And Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel.” (I Kings 22:44)
Like the other kings, Ahab saw how God was blessing Jehoshaphat and made a treaty with him. It was that treaty that led Ahab to ask Jehoshaphat to help in recovering Ramothgilead from the Syrians, as II Chronicles 18:1-2 describes. “Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab. And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that he had with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramothgilead.”
Because Jehoshaphat put making peace ahead of standing for what was right, God was upset with him according to II Chronicles 19:2-3. “And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD. Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God.”
“Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, and his might that he showed, and how he warred, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?” (I Kings 22:45)
Jehoshaphat made a concerted effort to turn Judah back completely to serving God. In addition to sending teams of leaders and Levites to teach them about God, he established local judges to uphold the law, reminding them that they were accountable to God for their decisions.
“And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beersheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers.
And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city, And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment. Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.
Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the LORD, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem. And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart. And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the LORD, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass. And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the king's matters: also the Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and the LORD shall be with the good.” (II Chronicles 19:4-11)
A Supreme court or court of appeals was established at Jerusalem to reconcile difference between God’s law and governmental decisions, and to settle disagreements over which laws were to be applied in different situations.
“And the remnant of the sodomites, which remained in the days of his father Asa, he took out of the land.” (I Kings 22:46)
While he was never able to completely eradicate secret worship of nature and the high places, Jehoshaphat was able to eradicate the homosexuals that his father had been unable to get rid of.
As long as we allow the devil a stronghold in our life, like the high places of pagan worship that were not torn down, we are in danger of falling into the snowballing effects of sin and of losing our testimony and usefulness to God.
ReplyDeleteThanks as always for the thorough exposition of Scripture, & God bless,
Laurie