Jehoshaphat-King of Judah

2 Chronicles 17:1-19

Jehoshaphat King of Judah

When King Asa died, his son Jehoshaphat became king of the southern Kingdom of Judah. He was 35 years old. King Ahab was the ruler of the northern kingdom

When Jehoshaphat became king, the people of Judah brought him gifts and he became a wealthy man. He decided to follow God’s ways and obey His laws rather than worship idols.

The high places, where people worshipped false gods and set up poles to the goddess Asherah, were destroyed.

In the third year of his reign, he chose officials, priests, and Levites to go out and teach God’s ways to everyone in the nation. They took the Book of God’s Laws with them.

They traveled throughout Judea, visiting every town explaining how God wanted people to live.People began to respect God and obey Him.

Arabs living nearby brought Jehoshaphat gifts of flocks - 7,700 rams and 7,700 goats.

The fear of God also spread to nearby enemy nations. Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as a tribute.

He also strengthened the defenses of cities that stored supplies for the nation.

As Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful, he built forts.

Jehoshaphat recruited a large army of experienced fighting men who were stationed in Jerusalem and the fortified cities of Judah

Over a million men were trained and equipped to defend the nation.

Messengers came to King Jehoshaphat to warn him that a large enemy army was marching towards Judea from the other side of the Dead Sea.

The Ammonites, Moabites, and Edomites had joined forces and were already at En Gedi south of Jerusalem

Alarmed, Jehoshaphat decided to ask God what to do, so he proclaimed a fast for all Judah

People from every town in the land came together to pray to God for help.

King Jehoshaphat stood up in the Temple courtyard and prayed, ‘Lord, you are so powerful, so mighty. Who can stand against you? We believe that in a time of calamities such as war, disease, or famine, we can cry out to you to save us. We believe you will hear us and rescue us.

Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon a Levite called Jahaziel. ‘Listen everyone,’ he announced, ‘this is what the Lord says …

“Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.

“Tomorrow marches down against them and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Wilderness of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions, stand firm and see how God will deliver you.”

Early in the morning, they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, ‘Believe in the Lord your God and you will have success! Believe his prophets and everything will be all right!’

People listened, then King Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground. Then everyone joined him in praising the Lord God very loudly.

After consultation with the leaders, Jehoshaphat determined that there should be a choir leading the army. They led the way singing ‘God’s Loving-Kindness Is Forever’ as they walked along praising and thanking the Lord!

As they started singing, the Lord caused the enemy army to fight among themselves. The Ammonites and Moabites attacked the Edomites and killed them. Then the Ammonites and Moabites turned on each other. The battle was fierce and they destroyed each other.

Just as God had promised this was the Lord’s battle and they would not need to fight.

So, when the army of Judah arrived on the scene, all they found were dead bodies lying on the ground—not a single one of the enemy had escaped

On the fourth day they gathered in the Valley of Blessing, as it is called today, to give thanks and praise to God.

There was so much plunder it took them three days to gather it and cart it away.

Jehoshaphat had trusted God for victory and it brought him peace. Towards the end of his reign however, he went into partnership with Ahaziah, king of Israel, who was a very wicked man

They returned to Jerusalem full of joy, with Jehoshaphat leading them. They marched into Jerusalem accompanied by a band of harps, lyres, and trumpets. They then proceeded to the Temple to give thanks to God.

God sent the prophet Eliezer with a message for King Jehoshaphat. ‘As you have allied yourself with King Ahaziah, the Lord has destroyed your work.

They built ships at Ezion-geber to sail to Tarshish. The ships set sail to open up routes for new trade.

- And he trusted the Lord God

- He obeyed the Lord- He removed false worship from the land- And he sent out teachers who taught the people the law of the lord

Moral:

Ctto

thanks!