-
Jehoshaphat Reigns in Judah
Then Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place, and strengthened himself against Israel.
-
Now the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the former ways of his father David; he did not seek the Baals,
-
Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat, and he had riches and honor in abundance.
-
And the fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat.
-
Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats.
-
So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful, and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah.
-
Micaiah Warns Ahab
Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in abundance; and by marriage he allied himself with Ahab.
-
So Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, “Will you go with me against Ramoth Gilead?” And he answered him, “I am as you are, and my people as your people; we will be with you in the war.”
-
Also Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire for the word of the Lord today.”
-
But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not still a prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of Him?”
-
So the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is still one man by whom we may inquire of the Lord; but I hate him, because he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil. He is Micaiah the son of Imla.” And Jehoshaphat said, “Let not the king say such things!”
-
The king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah, clothed in their robes, sat each on his throne; and they sat at a threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them.
-
And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?”
-
Ahab Dies in Battle
So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth Gilead.
-
And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and go into battle; but you put on your robes.” So the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle.
-
So it was, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, “It is the king of Israel!” Therefore they surrounded him to attack; but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the Lord helped him, and God diverted them from him.
-
Jehoshaphat’s Additional Reforms
Then Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned safely to his house in Jerusalem.
-
And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Therefore the wrath of the Lord is upon you.
-
The Reforms of Jehoshaphat
So Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem; and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the mountains of Ephraim, and brought them back to the Lord God of their fathers.
-
Moreover in Jerusalem, for the judgment of the Lord and for controversies, Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites and priests, and some of the chief fathers of Israel, when they returned to Jerusalem.
-
Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir Defeated
It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites, came to battle against Jehoshaphat.
-
Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar” (which is En Gedi).
-
And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
-
Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court,
-
And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
