The alliance with Joram, son of Ahab, king of Israel, is a significant event in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of the divided monarchy of Israel and Judah. This alliance is primarily documented in the books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles, providing insight into the political and spiritual dynamics of the time.

Background

Joram, also known as Jehoram, reigned as king of Israel from approximately 852 to 841 BC. He was the son of Ahab and Jezebel, notorious for their promotion of Baal worship in Israel. Despite his lineage, Joram made some attempts to distance himself from the practices of his parents, as noted in 2 Kings 3:2-3 : "He did evil in the sight of the LORD, but not like his father and mother, for he removed the pillar of Baal that his father had made. Nevertheless, he clung to the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin; he did not turn away from them."

Alliance with Jehoshaphat

The alliance with Joram is most notably marked by his collaboration with Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. Jehoshaphat was a king who sought to follow the ways of the LORD, yet he made several alliances with the house of Ahab, which were questionable in light of their idolatrous practices. The alliance between Joram and Jehoshaphat is recorded in 2 Kings 3:7 : "And he went and sent word to Jehoshaphat king of Judah: 'The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me to fight against Moab?' Jehoshaphat replied, 'I will go up; I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.'"

This alliance was formed to combat the rebellion of Moab against Israel. The two kings, along with the king of Edom, joined forces to confront the Moabite threat. The narrative highlights the strategic and military cooperation between the northern and southern kingdoms, despite their religious and political differences.

Spiritual Implications

The alliance with Joram is often viewed through the lens of its spiritual implications. Jehoshaphat's willingness to ally with Joram, despite the latter's association with idolatry, raises questions about the wisdom of forming alliances with those who do not fully adhere to the worship of Yahweh. This is a recurring theme in the biblical text, where alliances with ungodly nations or leaders often lead to negative consequences for the people of God.

In 2 Chronicles 19:2 , Jehoshaphat is rebuked by the prophet Jehu for his alliances: "Jehu 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? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you.'" This rebuke underscores the tension between political expediency and spiritual fidelity.

Outcome and Legacy

The military campaign against Moab, while initially successful, ultimately ended in a dramatic and unsettling manner. The Moabite king, in a desperate act, sacrificed his own son on the city wall, leading to a great wrath against Israel, causing the allied forces to withdraw (2 Kings 3:27). This outcome serves as a sobering reminder of the complexities and potential pitfalls of alliances that are not grounded in a shared commitment to the LORD.

The alliance with Joram is a poignant example of the challenges faced by the kings of Judah and Israel in navigating the political landscape of their time while striving to remain faithful to their covenant with God. It serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of discerning alliances and the potential spiritual consequences of compromising with ungodly influences.