Who was Jehoshaphat and what kind of king was he?

Jehoshaphat was the son of Asa and became king of Judah after him. This passage shows him as a king who trusted the Lord, not idols. He followed the early, faithful ways of David, obeyed God’s commands, and refused to copy the false worship in Israel. He strengthened his cities for defense, but his main concern was to honour God. Because of this, God was with him, made his kingdom secure in his hand, and gave him riches, honour, peace with neighbours, and a strong army.

Why does it say the Lord was with Jehoshaphat?

The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he turned his heart toward God. He walked in the good paths seen in David’s early life, refused to seek Baalim, and chose to seek the Lord, the God of his fathers. He kept God’s commandments and did not follow the ways of Israel, where false worship was common. His obedience was not just outward; his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord. In response, God established his rule, gave him favour with his people, and protected his land from war.

What does it mean that Jehoshaphat’s heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord?

When it says Jehoshaphat’s heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord, it points to a deep, eager joy in serving God. His courage and energy rose, not in pride about himself, but in zeal to do what pleased God. That is why he went on to remove high places and groves where idols were worshipped in Judah. Instead of being half-hearted or fearful about reforming the nation, he gladly pressed forward in God’s ways, even when it meant changing long-standing practices.

Why did Jehoshaphat remove high places and groves from Judah?

Jehoshaphat removed high places and groves because these were sites tied to idol worship. Even though some earlier reforms had been made, such places had been built up again. Jehoshaphat wanted the people to turn from false gods to the true worship of the Lord. By taking away these centres of idolatry, he cleared out what kept people from faithful worship. This shows that his love for God was not only in words; he was willing to confront and remove visible practices that dishonoured God in his kingdom.

Why did Jehoshaphat send princes, Levites, and priests to teach in Judah?

Jehoshaphat knew that real change among the people needed knowledge of God’s law. In the third year of his reign he sent leading officials, along with Levites and priests, through all the cities of Judah with the book of the law of the Lord. They went from town to town teaching the people what God had said. The princes likely backed the teachers with authority, while the Levites and priests explained the law. This shows that Jehoshaphat started reform not just by removing idols, but by making sure people understood God’s word.

What is the significance of the book of the law in this passage?

The book of the law in this passage is the written word of God that guided Israel’s worship and daily life. The teachers carried it with them as they travelled through Judah. They did not speak their own ideas; they taught from this book so the people could know clearly what God commanded. It was the standard for right worship and right living. By sending out teachers with the book, Jehoshaphat showed that the strength of his kingdom rested on God’s revealed word, not just on walls, armies, or human plans.

How did God show his favour to Jehoshaphat and Judah?

God’s favour appears in several clear ways. First, he established the kingdom in Jehoshaphat’s hand so his rule was secure. The people of Judah brought him gifts, and he gained riches and honour in abundance. The fear of the Lord fell on nearby kingdoms, so they did not make war against him. Instead, some Philistines brought presents and silver, and Arabians brought large flocks of rams and goats. Jehoshaphat became very great, built castles and store cities, and had a large, well-organised army. All this followed his choice to seek the Lord and lead the people toward faithful worship.

Why did surrounding nations fear the Lord and avoid war with Jehoshaphat?

The passage says the fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms around Judah, so they did not make war with Jehoshaphat. God himself put this dread on them. As Jehoshaphat led Judah back to true worship and obedience, God protected them by turning away possible attacks. Neighbouring peoples not only held back from war, they even sent gifts and tribute. This shows that God can guard his people, sometimes not by open miracles, but by quietly restraining those who might harm them and moving their hearts to respect his work.

What is the importance of the list of mighty men of valour under Jehoshaphat?

The long list of captains and numbers of soldiers shows how well-organised and strong Judah’s army was under Jehoshaphat. It names leaders from Judah and Benjamin and notes their large forces, adding up to more than a million men, besides those in fortified cities. One man, Amasiah, is noted as having willingly offered himself to the Lord, hinting that service in the army could also be seen as service to God. This shows that while Jehoshaphat trusted the Lord, he also used wisdom in building defenses and keeping disciplined troops ready to protect the kingdom.

How can Jehoshaphat’s leadership help believers think about leadership today?

This passage shows a pattern for leadership that puts God first. Jehoshaphat did not rely only on walls and armies; he sought the Lord, refused idols, and obeyed God’s commands. He cared about what people believed, so he sent teachers with God’s law across the land. He was brave in removing ungodly practices, and he managed his kingdom with order and care. While our settings are different, the pattern remains helpful: honour God, reject what draws people away from him, spread knowledge of his word, and carry out responsibilities in a way that depends on God’s help.

2Chr.17.1

2 Chronicles 17:1

KJV

And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel.

Jehoshaphat Reigns in Judah

Jehoshaphat Succeeds Asa

1 And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel.

2 And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken.

His Good Reign

3 And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;

4 But sought to the Lord God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.

5 Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance.

6 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.

7 ¶ Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah.

8 And with them he sent Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests.

9 And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the Lord with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people.

10 ¶ And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.

11 Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats.

12 ¶ And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store.

13 And he had much business in the cities of Judah: and the men of war, mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem.

14 And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah the chief, and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand.

15 And next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand.

16 And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the Lord; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour.

17 And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand.

18 And next him was Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war.

19 These waited on the king, beside those whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.