The Promise

Jehoshaphat, the King Who Believed God

Picture: Jehoshaphat, the King Who Believed God 2TC 95.1

Called to the throne at the age of thirty-five, Jehoshaphat had the benefit of good King Asa’s example. In nearly every crisis Asa had done “what was right in the eyes of the Lord.” 1 Kings 15:11. During his own reign of twenty-five years, Jehoshaphat aimed to walk “in all the ways of his father Asa. He did not turn aside from them.” 1 Kings 22:43. He tried to persuade his subjects to take a firm stand against idol worship. Many in his realm “offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places.” 1 Kings 22:43. From the beginning the king tried to safeguard Judah from the sins that characterized the northern kingdom under Ahab. Jehoshaphat “did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father, and walked in His commandments and not according to the acts of Israel.” The Lord was with him, and “established the kingdom in his hand.” 2 Chronicles 17:3-5. 2TC 95.2

Jehoshaphat “had riches and honor in abundance.” As time passed, the king “removed the high places and wooden images from Judah.” Verses 5, 6. “And the rest of the perverted persons, who remained in the days of his father Asa, he banished from the land.” 1 Kings 22:46. In this way he gradually freed the inhabitants of Judah from dangers that had threatened their spiritual development. 2TC 96.1

Throughout the kingdom the people needed instruction in the law of God. If they brought their lives into harmony with its requirements, they would become loyal both to God and to one another. Knowing this, Jehoshaphat took steps to see that his people received thorough instruction in the Holy Scriptures. By royal appointment instructors “went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people.” 2 Chronicles 17:9. And, as many put away sin, a revival took place. 2TC 96.2

Great gain comes from obeying God’s law. If the teachings of God’s Word were the controlling influence in the life of every man and woman, the evils that now exist in national and social life would disappear. From every home an influence would go forth that would make men and women strong in spiritual insight and in moral power. 2TC 96.3

For many years the surrounding nations did not threaten Jehoshaphat. “The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah.” “Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful, and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah. ... Men of war, mighty men of valor ... served the king.” 2 Chronicles 17:10, 12-19. Blessed with “riches and honor” (2 Chronicles 18:1), he was able to exert a mighty influence for truth and righteousness. But at the height of his prosperity Jehoshaphat consented to the marriage of his son Jehoram to Athaliah, daughter of Ahab and Jezebel. This union formed an alliance between Judah and Israel that in a time of crisis brought disaster to the king and to many of his subjects. 2TC 96.4

On one occasion Jehoshaphat visited the king of Israel at Samaria. The royal guest from Jerusalem was shown special honor, and Ahab persuaded him to unite with Israel in war against the Syrians. Ahab hoped that by joining with Judah he might recapture Ramoth Gilead, one of the old cities of refuge, which, he claimed, rightfully belonged to Israel. 2TC 97.1

In a moment of weakness Jehoshaphat rashly promised to join him against the Syrians. His better judgment, however, led him to seek the will of God concerning the matter. “Please inquire for the word of the Lord today,” he asked Ahab. In response, Ahab called four hundred false prophets, and said, “Shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?” They answered, “Go up, for God will deliver it into the king’s hand.” Verses 4, 5. 2TC 97.2

Unsatisfied, Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there not still a prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of him?” Verse 6. “There is still one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the Lord,” Ahab answered, “but I hate him, because he never prophesies good concerning me, but evil.” 1 Kings 22:8. Jehoshaphat was firm in his request that they call the man of God. Micaiah said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And the Lord said, ‘These have no master. Let each return to his house in peace. ’” Verse 17. 2TC 97.3

Jehoshaphat Makes a Mistake

Neither ruler felt like obeying the warning. Ahab had planned his course and was determined to follow it. Jehoshaphat had given his word, “We will be with you in the war” (2 Chronicles 18:3), and after making such a promise he was reluctant to withdraw his forces. “So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth Gilead.” 1 Kings 22:29. During the battle that followed, Ahab was shot by an arrow and died. 2TC 97.4

From this disastrous battle Jehoshaphat returned to Jerusalem. The prophet Jehu met him with the reproof: “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? There fore the wrath of the Lord is upon you. Nevertheless good things are found in you, in that you have removed the wooden images from the land, and have prepared your heart to seek God.” 2 Chronicles 19:2, 3. Jehoshaphat spent his later years mostly in strengthening Judah’s national and spiritual defenses. He “went out again among the people from Beersheba to the mountains of Ephraim, and brought them back to the Lord God of their fathers.” Verse 4. 2TC 97.5

One important step the king took was to establish efficient courts of justice. He “set judges in the land,” and in the instructions given them he urged: “Take heed to what you are doing, for you do not judge for man but for the Lord, who is with you in the judgment. ... With the Lord our God [there is] no partiality, nor taking of bribes.” Verses 5-7. 2TC 98.1

The king called on the judges of the appeals court at Jerusalem to be faithful. “Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the Lord. ... The Levites will be officials before you. Behave courageously, and the Lord will be with the good.” Verse 11. In safeguarding the rights and liberties of his subjects, Jehoshaphat stressed the fact that every member of the human family receives from God, who rules over all. Those who are appointed to act as judges under Him are to “defend the poor and fatherless,” and “do justice to the afflicted and needy.” Psalm 82:3. 2TC 98.2

Armies That Threaten to Destroy Judah

Toward the close of Jehoshaphat’s reign, “the people of Moab with the people of Ammon ... came to battle against Jehoshaphat.” News of this invasion reached the king through a messenger, who appeared with the startling word, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Syria.” 2 Chronicles 20:1, 2. 2TC 98.3

Jehoshaphat was a man of courage. For years he had been strengthening his armies and fortified cities. He was well prepared to meet almost any enemy. Yet in this crisis he did not put his trust in human strength. Only by a living faith in God could he hope to gain the victory over these heathen who boasted of their power to humble Judah in the eyes of the nations. 2TC 98.4

“Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord.” Standing in the temple court before his people, Jehoshaphat poured out his soul in prayer: “O Lord God of our fathers, ... do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel? ... 2TC 99.1

‘And now, here are the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir—whom You would not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they ... did not destroy them—here they are, rewarding us by coming to throw us out of Your possession which You have given us to inherit. ... We have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.’” Verses 3, 4, 6, 7, 10-12. 2TC 99.2

For years Jehoshaphat had taught the people to trust in the One who had so often saved His chosen ones from destruction, and now he did not stand alone: “All Judah, with their little ones, their wives, and their children, stood before the Lord.” Verse 13. Unitedly they pleaded with the Lord to put their enemies to confusion: 2TC 99.3

O God, do not keep silence; do not hold Your peace or be still,
O God!
Even now Your enemies are in tumult. ...
They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation; ...”
against You they make a covenant. ...
Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever;
let them perish in disgrace.
Let them know that You alone, whose name is the Lord,
are the Most High over all the earth. Psalm 83, NRSV 2TC 99.4

As the people joined with their king in humbling themselves before God, the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel, a Levite, and he said, “Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. ... You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem! Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.’” 2 Chronicles 20:15-17. 2TC 100.1

A Battle Won by a Choir Singing

Early in the morning as they advanced into the wilderness of Tekoa to battle, Jehoshaphat said, “‘Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.’ And ... he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness.” Verses 20, 21. These singers went before the army, lifting their voices in praise to God for the promise of victory. 2TC 100.2

It was a most unusual way of going to battle—singing and exalting the God of Israel! This was their battle song. They possessed the beauty of holiness. Wouldn’t more praising of God strengthen the hands of the valiant soldiers who are standing in defense of truth today? 2TC 100.3

“The Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated. For the people of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir to utterly kill and destroy them. And when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.” Verses 22, 23. 2TC 100.4

God was Judah’s strength in this crisis, and He is the strength of His people today. We are not to trust in princes or to set anyone in the place of God. In every emergency we are to feel that the battle is God’s. His resources are limitless. Apparent impossibilities will make the victory all the greater. 2TC 100.5

Loaded down with plunder, the armies of Judah returned “with joy, for the Lord had made them rejoice over their ene mies. So they came to Jerusalem, with stringed instruments and harps and trumpets, to the house of the Lord.” Verses 27, 28. They had put their trust completely in God, and He had proved to be their fortress and deliverer. Now they could sing with understanding the inspired hymn of David: 2TC 100.6

God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariot in the fire.
Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!
The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Psalm 46:1, 9-11 2TC 101.1

Through the faith of Judah’s ruler and of his armies “the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries when they heard that the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. Then the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around.” 2 Chronicles 20:29, 30. 2TC 101.2