Jehoshaphat

Jehoshaphat was the king of Judah during much of the 9th century BCE, succeeding his father, Asa. His name means “Yahweh has judged.” He is described in the Hebrew Bible as one of the more godly rulers of the southern kingdom, ruling for about 25 years.

During his reign, Jehoshaphat pursued religio-political reforms to strengthen worship of Yahweh. He strengthened the teaching of the Law, sent Levites and priests to educate the people in the towns of Judah, and established judicial measures to administer justice according to Covenant principles. He also took steps to remove certain forms of idolatry, although high places and some traditional practices persisted in parts of the land.

Jehoshaphat formed significant alliances with the northern kingdom of Israel, most notably with King Ahab. He arranged for his son Jehoram to marry Athaliah, Ahab’s daughter, linking the two kingdoms. He also joined in a military expedition against Ramoth-Gilead, an alliance that brought him into conflict with Ahab, who was killed in the ensuing battle. In addition, Jehoshaphat attempted to expand Judah’s trade by constructing ships at Ezion-Geber to go to Tarshish, but these ventures failed, and the biblical narrative presents this as a sign of divine displeasure with the alliance.

In a later crisis, Jehoshaphat faced a coalition of Moab, Ammon, and others. He sought the Lord in prayer, and a prophetic message assured deliverance, leading to a victorious outcome for Judah without a large-scale battle.

Jehoshaphat died after a reign of about 25 years and was succeeded by his son Jehoram. His reign is remembered for religious revival efforts and for political alliances that influenced Judah’s subsequent history.