Jehoshaphat: the King Who Followed God

K I N G S O F J U D A H

JEHOSHAPHAT: THE KING WHO FOLLOWED GOD

(1 Kings 22:43–46; 2 Chronicles 17)

Jehoshaphat was the son and successor of Jesus’ disciples should also follow the ex- Asa on the throne of Judah. He was a good king ample of faithful, spiritual men and women. who reigned for twenty-five years. Jehoshaphat Paul wanted his children in the faith to follow strengthened Judah’s defenses against Israel by his example as long as he followed Christ (1 Co- placing army units in the principal cities of Judah rinthians 11:1). He noted that those in the house- and Ephraim (2 Chronicles 17:1, 2). In every- hold of Stephanas had devoted themselves to thing he accomplished, “he walked in all the the ministry of the saints and urged the brethren way of Asa his father; he did not turn aside from to submit to them (1 Corinthians 16:15, 16). To it, doing right in the sight of the LORD” (1 Kings Timothy, he wrote, “For I am mindful of the 22:43a).1 sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, HE WALKED ACCORDING TO and I am sure that it is in you as well” (2 Timothy GOD’S COMMANDMENTS 1:5). Having spiritual examples in the family of In 2 Chronicles 17:3, 4a, we are told that God is a great advantage. “Remember those who Jehoshaphat “followed the example of his father led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and David’s earlier days and . . . sought the God of his considering the result of their conduct, imitate father.” This statement refers to the days of their faith” (Hebrews 13:7). We should walk in David’s reign before he sinned with Bathsheba. God’s commandments as Jehoshaphat did. Jehoshaphat did not pursue the false gods known as the Baals. Instead, he “followed [God’s] com- HE CLEANSED THE LAND mandments” (2 Chronicles 17:4b). OF THE WORSHIP OF EVIL Christians should study and follow the com- Perhaps Jehoshaphat was acquainted with mands of God because that displays a love for the words of Solomon, his great-great-grand- God and helps us to overcome the world (1 John father: “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is 5:3, 4). God’s Word guides His children along a disgrace to any people” (Proverbs 14:34); “Take life’s path (Psalm 119:105). Jesus showed His away the wicked before the king, and his throne love for the Word of God and His will. He used will be established in righteousness” (Proverbs God’s written Word to answer every temptation 25:5). Desiring to please God, this king cleansed the devil brought His way (Matthew 4). In the the land of the worship of evil. Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed for God’s will and not His own to be done (Matthew 26:39). So the LORD established the kingdom in his control, and all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great riches and honor. 1Scriptures that pertain to Jehoshaphat but are not He took great pride in the ways of the LORD and covered in this lesson are 1 Kings 22:2–42, 48, 49; 2 Chroni- again removed the high places and the Asherim cles 18—20. from Judah (2 Chronicles 17:5, 6).

1 He also banished from the kingdom those who doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tick- led, they will accumulate for themselves teach- practiced sodomy or prostitution in the worship ers in accordance to their own desires, and will of false gods (1 Kings 22:46). turn away their ears from the truth and will His actions should serve as a reminder to the turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an church to keep herself pure from sin. Paul gave evangelist, fulfill your ministry (2 Timothy 4:1– clear instructions to the brethren in Corinth when 5). he told them not to keep company with any brother who was “an immoral person, or covet- Of course, Timothy could not carry out these ous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or instructions alone. Neither can we. Paul also told a swindler—not even to eat with such a one” Timothy, “The things which you have heard (1 Corinthians 5:11). He had already urged them from me in the presence of many witnesses, to purge the leaven of sin from within the church entrust these to faithful men who will be able to because “Christ our Passover also has been sac- teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). rificed” (1 Corinthians 5:7). GOD BLESSED HIM WITH PEACE HE SENT MEN TO TEACH Jehoshaphat and Judah enjoyed peace as a GOD’S WORD result of the king’s desire to please God. We find that Jehoshaphat’s righteousness was rewarded: Having recognized the importance of cleans- “Now the dread of the LORD was on all the ing the land of sin and promoting righteousness, kingdoms of the lands which were around Jehoshaphat further did what was pleasing to Judah, so that they did not make war against God by sending men to teach people about the Jehoshaphat” (2 Chronicles 17:10). Solomon Law. In the third year of his reign, he sent leaders wrote, “When a man’s ways are pleasing to the and Levites, along with the priests, into all the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace land of Judah. “They taught in Judah, having the with him” (Proverbs 16:7). The great messianic book of the law of the LORD with them; and they prophet Isaiah likewise declared, went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught among the people” (2 Chronicles 17:7–9). All your sons will be taught of the LORD; After the death of King Ahab of Israel, And the well-being of your sons will be great. “Jehoshaphat . . . went out again among the In righteousness you will be established; You will be far from oppression, for you will people from Beersheba to the hill country of not fear; Ephraim and brought them back to the LORD, And from terror, for it will not come near you. the God of their fathers” (2 Chronicles 19:4). If anyone fiercely assails you it will not be from Me. Jehoshaphat was determined that God’s people Whoever assails you will fall because of you should be well acquainted with His Word so (Isaiah 54:13–15). they would know how to please Him. Paul foresaw a day when wolves in sheep’s Those who are part of the body of Christ also clothing would enter into the church in an effort have the assurance of God’s protection. Paul to draw away disciples. He commanded the envisioned the confidence Christians can have elders from Ephesus to keep a close watch on in Romans 8:31–33: themselves and the flock over which they had What then shall we say to these things? If been appointed overseers. Then, he said, “I com- God is for us, who is against us? He who did mend you to God and to the word of His grace, not spare His own Son, . . . how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will which is able to build you up and to give you the bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the inheritance among all those who are sanctified” one who justifies. (Acts 20:32). For much the same reason, Paul gave forceful instructions to Timothy, his son in Those who place their full trust in God and turn the faith: every potentially anxious thought over to Him in thankful prayer can have confidence that God’s . . . preach the word; be ready in season and peace will guard their “hearts and . . . minds in out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6, 7). will come when they will not endure sound Gary C. Hampton