Note: For clarity the Kings of Israel are coded in Orange
and Kings of Judah are coded in Blue. Also, last week and this week’s
lessons can be confusing, but they are parallel stories. Last week was focused on the northern kingdom
of Israel. This week is focused on the
reign of Jehoshaphat of the southern
kingdom of Judah.
2 Chronicles 17 – Jehoshaphat’s Reign
King Asa of Juda was generally a good king. His son Jehoshaphat became king and followed in his footsteps. The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the former ways of king David before David fell into murder and adultery. He brought military and spiritual reforms. He was loyal to the Lord and removed the high places for idol worship and cut down the images of the false gods. He sent teachers throughout the land to teach the Book of the Law of the Lord. He realized that this was important and the people should know how God wanted them to live.
Jehoshaphat recognized his kingdom was in danger from the northern kingdom of Israel so he strengthened his defenses. He became very powerful; he built forts and store cities in Judah and had large supplies in the towns. He kept experienced fighting men stationing them in the fortified cities.
2 Chronicles 18 – Death of Ahab
Jehoshaphat allied with King Ahab of Israel during a time of peace. He married Ahab’s daughter which brought comprise and trouble. We read last time about how the prophet Micaiah warned against going to war with Ramoth Gilead, but Jehoshaphat compromised with Ahab and they went to war. Ahab was killed, but Jehoshaphat returned safely.
Jehoshaphat took many risks by allying with Ahab. He risked his life and the lives of his army and his people. He risked God’s anger toward him.
2 Chronicles 19 – Jehu’s Prophecy
God showed mercy to him by allowing him to return from war safely. When the war was over and Jehoshaphat returned to his palace, the Lord sent the prophet Jehu to meet him (This is not to be confused with King Jehu who we will learn of in lesson 9). The Lord was angry with him because he had gone to help Ahab. Jehu told him he should not help the wicked or love those who hate the Lord. The Lord didn’t want Jehoshaphat to be crushed by the disapproval so He included a word of encouragement by saying there was some good in Jehoshaphat.
The king went personally to every part of his kingdom to persuade the people to turn back again to the Lord. He appointed judges in each city, gave them serious and necessary advice, and told them they were not responsible to anyone. They were responsible to the Lord alone. They had to know and how to apply the law. The judges he appointed were Levites, priests and heads of families to administer the law and to settle disputes.
2 Chronicles 20:1-37 – 21:3 – Jehoshaphat’s Victory
Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah faced an attack by an army from Moab, Ammon, and some Meunites. The news of this large army spread which made Jehoshaphat afraid, but he responded to the crisis by trusting God rather than his own army. He told the people to fast and to pray to the Lord. They all came to the temple and he led them in prayer.
In his prayer he proclaimed God’s might, recalled God’s past faithfulness, claimed God’s promise, acknowledged their helplessness, and asked God for help. “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.” – 2 Chronicles 20:12b. Then God sent encouragement through the prophet Jahaziel who spoke to the people, “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” – 2 Chronicles 20:15b. The people were humbled and bowed down in worship.
The next morning Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and praise Him as they went out to meet the enemy. “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” – 2 Chronicles 20:21b. They were saying that they trusted and rested on the enduring mercy of God.
As they sang and praised, the Lord set ambushes against the enemy armies and they were defeated. Fear came upon all the kingdoms of other countries when they heard of the victory and how the Lord fought the enemy. Jehoshaphat’s kingdom was at peace.
God fights on behalf of His people. He still saves people today from the enemies of sin and death. We can praise God that Jesus has fought the battle for our salvation and has rescued us from the judgment of God that we so rightly deserve. This makes us more than conquerors in Jesus. “… we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” – Romans 8:37b. On the cross, Jesus paid the debt we owe for our sin. He overcame death when He rose from the dead. When we trust in Jesus, we become safe forever in Him. He is our Savior.
Jehoshaphat was 35 years old when he became king of Judah and he reigned for 25 years. “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord” - 2 Chronicles 20:32b. 2 chronicles 20:33 tells us he did not remove the high places, while we read previously that he did remove the high places. Which is it? I think he removed them, but the people put up new one because they were not fully reformed. Jehoshaphat was a reformer, but the people would not be thoroughly reformed.
Jehoshaphat went into business with the wicked king Ahaziah to construct a fleet of trading ships. Because he had done this, God destroyed all the ships. God did this because he had been warned in 2 Chronicles 19:2 not to help the wicked. God did this to protective Jehoshaphat and also to punish him for disobeying.
Jehoshaphat died and was buried in the City of David. Jehoram his son succeeded him as king.
This week’s attribute of God is He is Savior. He saved Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah and He still saves people today from the enemies of sin and death. He sent His Son, Jesus to die on the cross and save us completely from the penalty of sin.
Next week we will continue our study of Kingdom Divided with 2 Kings 2-3. Hope to see you here. -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.
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