Jehoshaphat

Jehoshaphat, son of Asa, reigned twenty-five years and walked in the early ways of his father David, removing the Asherim and high places of Judah. In the third year of his reign he sent princes, Levites, and priests through the cities of Judah with the book of the law of the LORD to teach the people (2 Chronicles 17:7-9). The fear of the LORD fell on surrounding nations and they brought tribute; he stationed garrisons throughout the land and mustered an army of over a million men. His political failure was to ally his house with that of Ahab: his son Jehoram married Ahab and Jezebel's daughter Athaliah (2 Kings 8:18; 2 Chronicles 18:1), an alliance that nearly destroyed the Davidic line a generation later. Jehoshaphat went up with Ahab against Ramoth-gilead, narrowly escaping death; the prophet Jehu son of Hanani rebuked him: 'should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD?' (2 Chronicles 19:2). He nevertheless appointed judges through the cities and gave them sober charge to judge for the LORD. When Moab, Ammon, and Meunites massed against Judah, Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast and stood in the temple courts praying, 'we do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you' (2 Chronicles 20:12). The Levite Jahaziel prophesied victory without battle; Jehoshaphat sent the choir before the army singing 'give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever,' and the LORD set ambushes so that the invaders destroyed each other (2 Chronicles 20:21-23). His sea-trade alliance with Ahaziah of Israel ended in shipwreck (1 Kings 22:48).