Jehu’s Rebuke of Jehoshaphat

19 Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned to his home in Jerusalem in peace. ² Then Jehu^(A) son of Hanani the seer went out to confront him^[a] and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Do you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord?^(B) Because of this, the Lord’s wrath is on you.^{(C) 3} However, some good is found in you, for you have removed the Asherah poles from the land and have decided to seek God.”^(D)

Jehoshaphat’s Reforms

⁴ Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and once again he went out among the people from Beer-sheba to the hill country of Ephraim and brought them back to Yahweh, the God of their ancestors.^{(E) 5} He appointed judges in all the fortified cities of the land of Judah, city by city.^{(F) 6} Then he said to the judges, “Consider what you are doing, for you do not judge for man, but for the Lord, who is with you in the matter of judgment.^{(G) 7} And now, may the terror of the Lord be on you. Watch what you do, for there is no injustice or partiality or taking bribes with the Lord our God.”^(H)

⁸ Jehoshaphat also appointed in Jerusalem some of the Levites and priests and some of the heads of the Israelite families for deciding the Lord’s will and for settling disputes of the residents of^[b] Jerusalem. ⁹ He commanded them, saying, “In the fear of the Lord, with integrity, and with a whole heart, you are to do the following: ¹⁰ for every dispute that comes to you from your brothers who dwell in their cities—whether it regards differences of bloodguilt, law, commandment, statutes, or judgments^(I)—you are to warn them, so they will not incur guilt before the Lord and wrath will not come on you and your brothers.^(J) Do this, and you will not incur guilt.

¹¹ “Note that Amariah, the chief priest, is over you in all matters related to the Lord, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all matters related to the king, and the Levites are officers in your presence. Be strong; may the Lord be with those who do what is good.”^(K)

War against Eastern Enemies

20 After this, the Moabites and Ammonites, together with some of the Meunites,^[c](L) came to fight against Jehoshaphat. ² People came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast number from beyond the Dead Sea and from Edom^[d] has come to fight against you; they are already in Hazazon-tamar”^(M) (that is, En-gedi). ³ Jehoshaphat was afraid, and he resolved^(N) to seek the Lord. Then he proclaimed a fast^(O) for all Judah, ⁴ who gathered to seek the Lord. They even came from all the cities of Judah to seek Him.

Jehoshaphat’s Prayer

⁵ Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem in the Lord’s temple before the new courtyard. ⁶ He said:

God’s Answer

¹³ All Judah was standing before the Lord with their infants, their wives, and their children. ¹⁴ In the middle of the congregation, the Spirit of the Lord came on^(Z) Jahaziel (son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite from Asaph’s descendants), ¹⁵ and he said, “Listen carefully, all Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat. This is what the Lord says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast number,^(AA) for the battle is not yours, but God’s.^{(AB) 16} Tomorrow, go down against them. You will see them coming up the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley facing the Wilderness of Jeruel. ¹⁷ You do not have to fight this battle. Position yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.^(AC) He is with you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged.^(AD) Tomorrow, go out to face them, for Yahweh is with you.’”^(AE)

¹⁸ Then Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord to worship Him.^{(AF) 19} Then the Levites from the sons of the Kohathites and the Korahites^(AG) stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel shouting with a loud voice.

Victory and Plunder

²⁰ In the morning they got up early and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa. As they were about to go out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem. Believe in Yahweh your God, and you will be established;^(AH) believe in His prophets, and you will succeed.” ²¹ Then he consulted with the people and appointed some to sing for the Lord and some to praise the splendor of His holiness.^(AI) When they went out in front of the armed forces, they kept singing:^[f]

²² The moment they began their shouts and praises, the Lord set an ambush^(AK) against the Ammonites, Moabites, and the inhabitants of Mount Seir who came to fight against Judah, and they were defeated. ²³ The Ammonites and Moabites turned against the inhabitants of Mount Seir and completely annihilated them.^(AL) When they had finished with the inhabitants of Seir, they helped destroy each other.^(AM)

²⁴ When Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked for the large army, but there were only corpses lying on the ground; nobody had escaped. ²⁵ Then Jehoshaphat and his people went to gather the plunder. They found among them^[g] an abundance of goods on the bodies^[h] and valuable items. So they stripped them until nobody could carry any more. They were gathering the plunder for three days because there was so much. ²⁶ They assembled in the Valley of Beracah^[i] on the fourth day, for there they praised the Lord. Therefore, that place is still called the Valley of Beracah today.

²⁷ Then all the men of Judah and Jerusalem turned back with Jehoshaphat their leader, returning joyfully to Jerusalem, for the Lord enabled them to rejoice over their enemies. ²⁸ So they came into Jerusalem to the Lord’s temple with harps, lyres, and trumpets.

²⁹ The terror of God^(AN) was on all the kingdoms of the lands when they heard that Yahweh had fought against the enemies of Israel. ³⁰ Then Jehoshaphat’s kingdom was quiet, for his God gave him rest on every side.^(AO)

Summary of Jehoshaphat’s Reign

³¹ Jehoshaphat became king over Judah.^(AP) He was 35 years old when he became king and reigned 25 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Azubah daughter of Shilhi. ³² He walked in the way of Asa his father; he did not turn away from it but did what was right in the Lord’s sight. ³³ However, the high places were not taken away;^(AQ) the people had not yet set their hearts on the God of their ancestors.^(AR)

³⁴ The rest of the events of Jehoshaphat’s reign from beginning to end are written in the Events of Jehu^(AS) son of Hanani, which is recorded in the Book of Israel’s Kings.^(AT)

Jehoshaphat’s Fleet of Ships

³⁵ After this,^(AU) Judah’s King Jehoshaphat made an alliance with Israel’s King Ahaziah, who was guilty of wrongdoing. ³⁶ Jehoshaphat formed an alliance with him to make ships to go to Tarshish,^(AV) and they made the ships in Ezion-geber. ³⁷ Then Eliezer son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you formed an alliance with Ahaziah, the Lord has broken up what you have made.” So the ships were wrecked and were not able to go to Tarshish.

Psalm 48

Zion Exalted

A song. A psalm of the sons of Korah.

Pray for Us

3 Finally, brothers, pray for us that the Lord’s message may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you,^{(A) 2} and that we may be delivered^(B) from wicked and evil men, for not all have faith.^{[a] 3} But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen and guard you from the evil one.^{(C) 4} We have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do what we command. ⁵ May the Lord direct your hearts to God’s love and Christ’s endurance.^(D)

Warning against Irresponsible Behavior

⁶ Now we command you, brothers, in the name^(E) of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother^(F) who walks irresponsibly and not according to the tradition^(G) received^(H) from us. ⁷ For you yourselves know how you must imitate^(I) us: We were not irresponsible among you; ⁸ we did not eat^(J) anyone’s food^[b] free of charge;^(K) instead, we labored^(L) and struggled,^(M) working^(N) night and day, so that we would not be a burden^(O) to any of you. ⁹ It is not that we don’t have the right^(P) to support, but we did it to make ourselves an example to you so that you would imitate^(Q) us. ¹⁰ In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: “If anyone isn’t willing to work, he should not eat.”^{(R) 11} For we hear that there are some among you who walk irresponsibly, not working at all, but interfering with the work of others.^{(S) 12} Now we command and exhort such people by the Lord Jesus Christ that quietly working, they may eat their own food.^{[c] 13} Brothers, do not grow weary^(T) in doing good.

¹⁴ And if anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take note of that person; don’t associate with him, so that he may be ashamed. ¹⁵ Yet don’t treat him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

Final Greetings

¹⁶ May the Lord of peace^(U) Himself give you peace always in every way.^(V) The Lord be with all of you.^{(W) 17} This greeting is in my own hand^(X)—Paul. This is a sign in every letter; this is how I write. ¹⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.