Who is…
Jehoshaphat
This is the name of 6 biblical men.
King Jehoshaphat
also known as: Josaphat (Matthew 1:8 KJV)
He was a generally good sovereign of the Kingdom of Judah and s son and successor of King Asa.
His story is recorded in 1 Kings 15:24; 22:41-51; and 2 Chronicles 17:1-21:1.
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 3rd 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.”
King Jehoshaphat’s bad judgment
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).
King Jehoshaphat’s wars with the Moabites
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 sought 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.
King Jehoshaphat’s miraculous deliverance
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).
Death of King Jehoshaphat
Soon after this Jehoshaphat died, after a reign of 25 years, being 60 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.
Relatives of King Jehoshaphat
Jehoshaphat, a bodyguard
He protected King David (1 Chronicles 11:43).
Jehoshaphat, a priest
He accompanied the removal of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 15:24).
Chancellor Jehoshaphat—son of Ahilud
He was a “recorder” or annalist under King David and Solomon (2 Samuel 8:16), a state officer of high rank—a chancellor or vizier of the kingdom.
Jehoshaphat, a purveyor
He is a son of Paruah and worked for King Solomon in Issachar (1 Kings 4:17).
More information
- What is the Kingdom of Judah (Judea)?
- What is Moab?
- Who are the Moabites?
- Who are the Davidic kings?
- About the KINGS in the Bible
Jehoshaphat, son of Nimshi
He is the father of King Jehu of the Kingdom of Israel.
“When you arrive there, search out Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi, and go in and bid him arise from among his brothers, and bring him to an inner room. —2 Kings 9:2 NASB
So Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi conspired against Joram. Now Joram with all Israel was defending Ramoth-gilead against Hazael king of Aram, —2 Kings 9:14 NASB