Jehoshaphat

the Lord is judge

Jehoshaphat

(whom Jehovah judges.)

1. King of Judah, son of Asa, succeeded to the throne B.C. 914, when he was 35 years old, and reigned 25 years. His history is to be found among the events recorded in (1 Kings 15:24; 2 Kings 8:16) or in a continuous narrative in (2 Chronicles 17:1; 2 Chronicles 21:3) He was contemporary with Ahab, Ahaziah and Jehoram. He was one of the best, most pious and prosperous kings of Judah, the greatest since Solomon. At first he strengthened himself against Israel; but soon afterward the two Hebrew kings formed an alliance. In his own kingdom Jehoshaphat ever showed himself a zealous follower of the commandments of God: he tried to put down the high places and groves in which the people of Judah burnt incense, and sent the wisest Levites through the cities and towns to instruct the people in true morality and religion. Riches and honors increased around him. He received tribute from the Philistines and Arabians, and kept up a large standing army in Jerusalem. It was probably about the 16th year of his reign, B.C. 898, when he became Ahab's ally in the great battle of Ramoth-gilead, for which he was severely reproved by Jehu. (2 Chronicles 19:2) He built at Ezion-geber, with the help of Ahaziah, a navy designed to go to Tarshish; but it was wrecked at Ezion-geber. Before the close of his reign he was engaged in two additional wars. He was miraculously delivered from a threatened attack of the people of Ammon, Moab and Seir. After this, perhaps, must be dated the war which Jehoshaphat, in conjunction with Jehoram king of Israel and the king of Edom, carried on against the rebellious king of Moab. (2 Kings 3:1) ... In his declining years the administration of affairs was placed, probably B.C. 891, in the hands of his son Jehoram.
2. Son of Ahilud, who filled the office of recorder of annalist in the courts of David, (2 Samuel 8:16) etc., and Solomon. (1 Kings 4:3)
3. One of the priests in David's time. (1 Chronicles 15:24)
4. Son of Paruah; one of the twelve purveyors of King Solomon. (1 Kings 4:17)
5. Son of Nimshi and father of King Jehu. (2 Kings 9:2,14)

Jehoshaphat

A pious king of Judah, the son and successor of Asa. He began to reign at the age of thirty-five, about the year 914 B. C., and reigned twenty-five years. His history is found in 1 Kings 15:24 22:1-53 2 Chronicles 17:1-20:37. He was distinguished by his zeal for true religion, and his firm trust in God. He thoroughly cleansed the land from idolatry, restored the divine ordinances, and provided for the religious instruction of the people. His government was highly prospered at home and abroad. The great error of his life was an entangling alliance with the wicked Ahab, whose infamous daughter Athaliah early began to afflict the kingdom of Judah, of which she was afterwards the queen. Jehoshaphat was beguiled by Ahab into an unsuccessful war with the Syrians, but soon resumed his labors in behalf of religion and justice. Having failed in a commercial enterprise with Ahaziah, he declined a second trial, 1 Kings 22:48,49 but united with Joram, his successor, in a war with Moab. This seems to have led to his being assailed by a vast host of Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, and Syrians; but again he was victorious through his faith in God. He died at the age of sixty years.

Jehovah-judged.

(1.) One of David's body-guard (1 Chronicles 11:43).

(2.) One of the priests who accompanied the removal of the ark to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 15:24).

(3.) Son of Ahilud, "recorder" or annalist under David and Solomon (2 Samuel 8:16), a state officer of high rank, chancellor or vizier of the kingdom.

(4.) Solomon's purveyor in Issachar (1 Kings 4:17).

(5.) The son and successor of Asa, king of Judah. After fortifying his kingdom against Israel (2 Chronicles 17:1, 2), he set himself to cleanse the land of idolatry (1 Kings 22:43). In the third year of his reign he sent out priests and Levites over the land to instruct the people in the law (2 Chronicles 17:7-9). He enjoyed a great measure of peace and prosperity, the blessing of God resting on the people "in their basket and their store."

The great mistake of his reign was his entering into an alliance with Ahab, the king of Israel, which involved him in much disgrace, and brought disaster on his kingdom (1 Kings 22:1-33). Escaping from the bloody battle of Ramoth-gilead, the prophet Jehu (2 Chronicles 19:1-3) reproached him for the course he had been pursuing, whereupon he entered with rigour on his former course of opposition to all idolatry, and of deepening interest in the worship of God and in the righteous government of the people (2 Chronicles 19:4-11).

Again he entered into an alliance with Ahaziah, the king of Israel, for the purpose of carrying on maritime commerce with Ophir. But the fleet that was then equipped at Ezion-gaber was speedily wrecked. A new fleet was fitted out without the co-operation of the king of Israel, and although it was successful, the trade was not prosecuted (2 Chronicles 20:35-37; 1 Kings 22:48-49).

He subsequently joined Jehoram, king of Israel, in a war against the Moabites, who were under tribute to Israel. This war was successful. The Moabites were subdued; but the dreadful act of Mesha in offering his own son a sacrifice on the walls of Kir-haresheth in the sight of the armies of Israel filled him with horror, and he withdrew and returned to his own land (2 Kings 3:4-27).

The last most notable event of his reign was that recorded in 2 Chronicles 20. The Moabites formed a great and powerful confederacy with the surrounding nations, and came against Jehoshaphat. The allied forces were encamped at Engedi. The king and his people were filled with alarm, and betook themselves to God in prayer. The king prayed in the court of the temple, "O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us." Amid the silence that followed, the voice of Jahaziel the Levite was heard announcing that on the morrow all this great host would be overthrown. So it was, for they quarrelled among themselves, and slew one another, leaving to the people of Judah only to gather the rich spoils of the slain. This was recognized as a great deliverance wrought for them by God (B.C. 890). Soon after this Jehoshaphat died, after a reign of twenty-five years, being sixty years of age, and was succeeded by his son Jehoram (1 Kings 22:50). He had this testimony, that "he sought the Lord with all his heart" (2 Chronicles 22:9). The kingdom of Judah was never more prosperous than under his reign.

(6.) The son of Nimshi, and father of Jehu, king of Israel (2 Kings 9:2, 14).

Jehoshaphat, Valley of

Mentioned in Scripture only in Joel 3:2, 12. This is the name given in modern times to the valley between Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives, and the Kidron flows through it. Here Jehoshaphat overthrew the confederated enemies of Israel (Psalm 83:6-8); and in this valley also God was to overthrow the Tyrians, Zidonians, etc. (Joel 3:4, 19), with an utter overthrow. This has been fulfilled; but Joel speaks of the final conflict, when God would destroy all Jerusalem's enemies, of whom Tyre and Zidon, etc., were types. The "valley of Jehoshaphat" may therefore be simply regarded as a general term for the theatre of God's final judgments on the enemies of Israel.

This valley has from ancient times been used by the Jews as a burial-ground. It is all over paved with flat stones as tombstones, bearing on them Hebrew inscriptions.

JEHOSHAPHAT (1)

je-hosh'-a-fat (yehoshaphaT, "Yahweh has judged"):

(1) King of Judah. See separate article.

(2) Son of Ahilud. He was recorder under David (2 Samuel 8:16; 2 Samuel 20:24 1 Chronicles 18:15) and Solomon (1 Kings 4:3).

(3) Son of Paruah, and Solomon's overseer in Issachar to provide victuals for the royal household for one month of the year (1 Kings 4:17).

(4) Son of Nimshi, and father of Jehu, king of Northern Israel (2 Kings 9:2, 14). His name is omitted in 9:20 and 1 Kings 19:16, where Jehu is called "son of Nimshi."

(5) the King James Version (but not Hebrew) in 1 Chronicles 15:24; the Revised Version (British and American) correctly JOSHAPHAT (which see).

David Francis Roberts

JEHOSHAPHAT (2)

je-hosh'-a-fat (yehoshaphaT, "Yahweh judges"): The 4th king of Judah, son of Asa. His mother was Azubah, the daughter of Shilhi, of whom nothing further is known. He was 35 years of age at his accession, and reigned 25 years, circa 873-849 B.C. The history of his reign is contained in 1 Kings 22:41-50 and in 2 Chronicles 17:1-21:1. The narrative in 1 Kings 22:1-35 a and in 2 Kings 3:4; belongs to the history of the Northern Kingdom. The absence from Ki of the details contained in 2 Chronicles affords no presumpt against their truth. Neither do high numbers, embellished statements, and the coloring of the writer's own age destroy the historical perspective.

1. His Religious Policy:

The reign of Jehoshaphat appears to have been one of unusual religious activity. It was, however, characterized not so much by striking religious measures as it was by the religious spirit that pervaded every act of the king, who sought the favor of Yahweh in every detail of his life (2 Chronicles 17:3, 4). He evidently felt that a nation's character is determined by its religion. Accordingly, he made it his duty to purify the national worship. The "sodomites," i.e. those who practiced immorality in the worsh ip of Yahweh in the temple precincts, were banished from the land (1 Kings 22:46). The Asherim were taken out of Judah (2 Chronicles 17:6; 2 Chronicles 19:3), and "the people from Beer-sheba to the hill-country of Ephraim were brought back unto Yahweh, the God of their fathers" (2 Chronicles 19:4). Because of his zeal for Yahweh, Jehoshaphat is rewarded with power and "riches and honor in abundance" (2 Chronicles 17:5).

2. His System of Public Instruction:

Believing that religion and morals, the civilization, suffer from ignorance, Jehoshaphat introduced a system of public instruction for the whole land (2 Chronicles 17:7). He appointed a commission, composed of princes, Levites and priests, to go from city to city to instruct the people. Their instruction was to be based on the one true foundation of sound morals and healthy religious life, "the book of the law of Yahweh" (2 Chronicles 17:7-9).

3. His Judicial Institutions:

Next in importance to Jehoshaphat's system of public instruction, was his provision for the better administration of justice. He appointed judges to preside over courts of common pleas, which he established in all the fortified cities of Judah. In addition to these local courts, two courts of appeal, an ecclesiastical and a civil court, were established at Jerusalem to be presided over by priests, Levites, and leading nobles as judges. At the head of the ecclesiastical court of appeal was the high priest, and a layman, "the ruler of the house of Judah," headed the civil court of appeal (2 Chronicles 19:4-11). The insistence that a judge was to be in character like Yahweh, with whom there is "no iniquity.... nor respect of persons, nor taking of bribes" (2 Chronicles 19:7), is worthy of note.

4. His Military Defenses:

According to 2 Chronicles 17:2, Jehoshaphat began his reign with defensive measures against Israel. Furthermore, he built castles and cities of store in the land of Judah, "and he had many works," probably military supplies, "in the cities of Judah" (17:13). He appears to have had a large standing army, including cavalry (1 Kings 22:4 2 Chronicles 17:14). However, the numbers in 2 Chronicles 17:14; seem to be impossibly high.

5. His Foreign Policy:

Godliness and security at home were followed by respect and peace abroad. The fact that the Philistines and the Arabians brought tribute (2 Chronicles 17:11), and that Edom had no king (1 Kings 22:47), but a deputy instead, who possibly was appointed by Jehoshaphat, would indicate that he held the suzerainty over the nations and tribes bordering Judah on the South and West Holding the suzerainty over the weaker nations, and being allied with the stronger, Jehoshaphat secured the peace for the greater part of his reign (1 Chronicles 17:10) that fostered the internal development of the kingdom.

6. His Alliance with Ahab:

In contrast to the former kings of Judah, Jehoshaphat saw greater benefit in an alliance with Israel than in civil war. Accordingly, the old feud between the two kingdoms (1 Kings 14:30; 1 Kings 15:6) was dropped, and Jehoshaphat made peace with Israel (1 Kings 22:44). The political union was cemented by the marriage of Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat, to Athaliah, daughter of Ahab and Jezebel. Shortly after the marriage, Jehoshaphat joined Ahab in a campaign against Syria (2 Chronicles 18:1-3). In view of the subordinate position that Jehoshaphat seems to take in the campaign (1 Kings 22:4, 30), and in view of the military service rendered to Jehoram (2 Kings 3:4), Judah seems to have become a dependency of Israel. Nevertheless, the union may have contributed to the welfare and prospity of Judah, and it may have enabled Jehoshaphat to hold the suzerainty over the neighboring nations. However, the final outcome of the alliance with the house of Omri was disastrous for Judah. The introduction into Judah of Baalism more than counterbalanced any political and material advantage gained, and in the succeeding reigns it indirectly led to the almost total extinction of the royal family of Judah (2 Kings 11:1).

7. His Alliance with Jehoram:

In spite of the denunciation of the prophet Jehu for his expedition with Ahab, thus "help(ing) the wicked" (2 Chronicles 19:2), Jehoshaphat entered into a similar alliance with Jehoram of Israel (2 Kings 3:4). On the invitation of Jehoram to join him in an expedition against Moab, Jehoshaphat was ready with the same set speech of acceptance as in the case of Ahab (2 Kings 3:7; compare 1 Kings 22:4). For the details of the expedition see JEHORAM, (1).

8. Victory over the Moabites and Ammonites:

The Chronicler has given us a very remarkable account of a victory gained by Jehoshaphat over the Moabites and Ammonites. No doubt he made use of a current historical Midrash. Many find the historical basis of the Midrash in the events recorded in 2 Kings 3:4;. However, the localities are different, and there a defeat is recorded, while in this case we have a victory. The story in outline bears the stamp of probability. 1 Kings 22:45 seems to suggest wars of Jehoshaphat that are not mentioned in Kings. The tribes mentioned in the account are represented as trying to make permanent settlement in Judah (2 Chronicles 20:11). In their advance through the South of Judah, they were doubtless harassed by the shepherd population of the country. Jehoshaphat, according to his custom, sought the help of Yahweh. The invading forces fell to quarreling among themselves (2 Chronicles 20:23), and destroyed one another. The spoil was great because the invaders had brought all their goods with them, expecting to remain in the land.

9. Destruction of Jehoshaphat's Fleet:

The destruction of Jehoshaphat's fleet is recorded in 1 Kings 22:48, 49 and in 2 Chronicles 20:35-37. However, the two accounts are quite different. According to Kings, Jehoshaphat built ships of Tarshish to sail to Ophir for gold, but the vessels were wrecked at zion-geber. Thereupon Ahaziah offered to assist Jehoshaphat with seamen, but Jehoshaphat refused to enter into the alliance. According to Chronicles the alliance had been formed, and together they built ships at Ezion-geber, which were destroyed because Jehoshaphat had made an alliance with the wicked king of Israel. In view of Jehoshaphat's other alliances, the Chronicler may be in the right. Chronicles, however, misunderstood the term "ships of Tarshish."

10. His Death:

Jehoshaphat died at the age of 60. Josephus says (Ant., IX, iii, 2) that he was buried in a magnificent manner, for he had imitated the actions of David. The kingdom was left to Jehoram, who inaugurated the beginning of his reign by causing the massacre of his brethren.

S. K. Mosiman

JEHOSHAPHAT, VALLEY OF

(`emeq yehoshaphaT); the latter word means "Yahweh judgeth," and `emeq, "wide," "open valley"; Septuagint he koilas Iosaphat): The name is used in Joel 3:2, 12 of the scene of Judgment: "Let the nations bestir themselves, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat; for there will I sit to judge all the nations round about" (Joel 3:12). "The valley of decision" (or "sharp judgment") is another name the prophet gives to this spot (Joel 3:14). Some have identified it with the valley (`emeq) of BERACAH (which see) of 2 Chronicles 20:26, where King Jehoshaphat obtained a great victory, but this is improbable.

Since the 4th century A.D. the KIDRON (which see) valley has been named the Valley of Jehoshaphat. The tradition is now strongest among the Moslems who point out the exact scene of the Judgment; the Bridge As Sirat, dividing heaven and hell, is to stretch across this valley from the Charam area to the Mount of Olives. It is, however, the ambition of every pious Jew to be buried on the slopes of this valley, to be at hand at the resurrection. This, too, was an ordinary place for Jewish graves in preexilic times (2 Kings 23:6, etc.). The valley today, especially that part adjacent to the temple, is crowded with Moslem and Jewish graves. A worthless tradition indicates the tomb of Jehoshaphat himself close to the so-called "Pillar of Absalom." Se KING'S VALE. There is not the slightest reason for believing that this is the spot referred to by Joel-indeed he may have spoken of an ideal spot only. The valley of the Kidron is a nachal ("ravine"), not an `emeq ("broad valley"). It is impos sible not to suspect that there is some connection between the name Jehoshaphat and the name of a village near the head of this valley-Shaphat; perhaps at one time it was Wady Shaphat, which name would readily suggest the traditional one.

See GEHENNA.

E. W. G. Masterman

2498. Iosaphat -- Jehoshaphat, an Israelite
... Jehoshaphat, an Israelite. Part of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable Transliteration:
Iosaphat Phonetic Spelling: (ee-o-saf-at') Short Definition: Jehoshaphat ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2498.htm - 6k

2496. Ioram -- Joram, an Israelite
... Transliteration: Ioram Phonetic Spelling: (ee-o-ram') Short Definition: Joram, Jehoram
Definition: (Hebrew), Joram, Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat and father of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2496.htm - 6k

760. Asaph -- Asa, a king of Judah
... Noun, Indeclinable Transliteration: Asaph Phonetic Spelling: (as-ah') Short Definition:
Asa Definition: Asa, son of Abijah and father of Jehoshaphat, king of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/760.htm - 6k

1134. Ben-chayil -- "son of might," one of Jehoshaphat's leaders
... Ben-chayil. 1135 . "son of might," one of Jehoshaphat's leaders. Transliteration:
Ben-chayil Phonetic Spelling: (ben-khah'-yil) Short Definition: Benhail. ...
/hebrew/1134.htm - 6k

7977. Shilchi -- Jehoshaphat's grandfather
... 7976, 7977. Shilchi. 7978 . Jehoshaphat's grandfather. Transliteration: Shilchi
Phonetic Spelling: (shil-khee') Short Definition: Shilhi. ...
/hebrew/7977.htm - 6k

3092. Yehoshaphat -- "the LORD has judged," the name of a number ...
... Transliteration: Yehoshaphat Phonetic Spelling: (yeh-ho-shaw-fawt') Short Definition:
Jehoshaphat. ... NASB Word Usage Jehoshaphat (84), Joshaphat (2). Jehoshaphat. ...
/hebrew/3092.htm - 6k

Jehoshaphat's Reform
... THE SECOND BOOK OF CHRONICLES JEHOSHAPHAT'S REFORM. 'And Jehoshaphat his
son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/jehoshaphats reform.htm

Jehoshaphat
... Prophets of the Northern Kingdom Chapter 15 Jehoshaphat. Until called to
the throne at the age of thirty-five, Jehoshaphat had before ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 15 jehoshaphat.htm

How Joram and Jehoshaphat Made an Expedition against the Moabites ...
... CHAPTER 3. How Joram And Jehoshaphat Made An Expedition Against The Moabites; As
Also Concerning The Wonders Of Elisha; And The Death Of Jehoshaphat. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 how joram and.htm

Concerning Jehoshaphat the King of Jerusalem and How Ahab Made an ...
... Concerning Jehoshaphat The King Of Jerusalem And How Ahab Made An Expedition Against
The Syrians And Was Assisted Therein By Jehoshaphat, But Was Himself ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 15 concerning jehoshaphat the.htm

Concerning Jehoshaphat Again; How He Constituted Judges And,
... From The Death Of Ahab To The Captivity Of The Ten Tribes. CHAPTER 1.
Concerning Jehoshaphat Again; How He Constituted Judges And,. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 concerning jehoshaphat again.htm

Jehoram Succeeds Jehoshaphat; How Joram, his Namesake, King of ...
... CHAPTER 4. Jehoram Succeeds Jehoshaphat; How Joram, His Namesake, King Of Israel,
Fought With The Syrians; And What Wonders Were Done By The Prophet Elisha. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 jehoram succeeds jehoshaphat.htm

Micaiah's Courage in Telling the Truth
... But in the third year, when Jehoshaphat the ruler of Judah came to visit the ruler
of Israel, Ahab said to his followers, "Do you not know that Ramoth in ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/micaiahs courage in telling the.htm

'A Mirror for Magistrates'
... THE SECOND BOOK OF CHRONICLES 'A MIRROR FOR MAGISTRATES'. 'And Jehoshaphat the king
of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.2. And Jehu the son of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a mirror for magistrates.htm

The Kingdom Op Judah.
... His son Jehoshaphat was a very good and gentle prince, but his very gentleness seemed
to have led him into error, for he became too friendly with the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vii the kingdom op.htm

The Valley of Hinnom.
... upon the place) who come to worship from month to month, and from sabbath to sabbath,
shall go out without Jerusalem into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and shall ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 39 the valley of.htm

Jehoshaphat (79 Occurrences)
... The Moabites formed a great and powerful confederacy with the surrounding nations,
and came against Jehoshaphat. ...Jehoshaphat, Valley of. ...
/j/jehoshaphat.htm - 51k

Jehoshaphat's (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Jehoshaphat's (2 Occurrences). 1 Kings 22:45 Now
the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, and his might that ...
/j/jehoshaphat's.htm - 7k

Jeho'ram (21 Occurrences)
... He was the son of Ahab. (2.) Jehoram, the son and successor of Jehoshaphat on
the throne of Judah (2 Kings 8:24). Multi-Version Concordance ...
/j/jeho'ram.htm - 13k

Prophesies (17 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 22:8 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man by
whom we may inquire of Jehovah; but I hate him, for he prophesies no good ...
/p/prophesies.htm - 11k

Jehosh'aphat (75 Occurrences)
Jehosh'aphat. Jehoshaphat, Jehosh'aphat. Jehoshaphat's . ... Matthew 1:8 and Asa
begat Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat begat Joram, and Joram begat Uzziah, (See RSV ...
/j/jehosh'aphat.htm - 27k

Micaiah (27 Occurrences)
... Three years after the great battle with Ben-hadad (20:29-34), Ahab proposed to
Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, that they should go up against Ramoth-Gilead to do ...
/m/micaiah.htm - 21k

Enquire (42 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 22:5 And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee,
at the word of the LORD to day. ... And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so. ...
/e/enquire.htm - 21k

Ahazi'ah (33 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). 1 Kings 22:49 Then said Ahaziah the son of Ahab unto Jehoshaphat: 'Let
my servants go with thy servants in the ships.' But Jehoshaphat would not. ...
/a/ahazi'ah.htm - 16k

Recorder (10 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (Hebrews mazkir, ie, "the mentioner, " "rememberancer"),
the office first held by Jehoshaphat in the court of David (2 Samuel 8:16 ...
/r/recorder.htm - 12k

Ahilud (5 Occurrences)
... a-hi'-lud ('achiludh, "child's brother," perhaps): The father of Jehoshaphat, who
is mentioned as "recorder" in both the earlier and the later lists under David ...
/a/ahilud.htm - 8k

Who was Micaiah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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