Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Kings » Who reigned over judah » Jehoshaphat
Jehoshaphat the son of Asa began to reign upon Judah, the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel, and was thirty five years old when he began to reign and reigned twenty five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi. And he walked in all the ways of Asa his father and bowed not therefrom. But did that was right in the eyes of the LORD. Only he did not put the hill altars out of the way: for the people offered and burnt their sacrifices yet in the hill altars. read more.
And he had peace with the king of Israel. And the rest of the deeds of Jehoshaphat, and the might that he used, and how he warred, are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah. And the remnant of the stews of the males, which remained in the days of his father, he put clean out of the land. There was then no king in Edom; the king was but a deputy. And Jehoshaphat made ships in the sea to go to Ophir for gold, but they went not: for the ships brake at Eziongeber. Then said Ahaziah the son of Ahab unto Jehoshaphat, "Let my servants go with thine in the ships." But Jehoshaphat would not. And Jehoshaphat laid him to sleep with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father. And Jehoram his son reigned in his room.
And he had peace with the king of Israel. And the rest of the deeds of Jehoshaphat, and the might that he used, and how he warred, are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah. And the remnant of the stews of the males, which remained in the days of his father, he put clean out of the land. There was then no king in Edom; the king was but a deputy. And Jehoshaphat made ships in the sea to go to Ophir for gold, but they went not: for the ships brake at Eziongeber. Then said Ahaziah the son of Ahab unto Jehoshaphat, "Let my servants go with thine in the ships." But Jehoshaphat would not. And Jehoshaphat laid him to sleep with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father. And Jehoram his son reigned in his room.
And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead and was mightier than Israel. And he put soldiers in all the strong cities of Judah, and set rulers both in the land of Judah and also in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had won. And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the old ways of his father David, and sought not Baals: read more.
But sought the LORD God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the doings of Israel. Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought him presents, that he became exceeding rich and glorious. And his heart was courageous in the ways of the LORD, and he put down yet more of the hill altars and groves out of Judah. And the third year of his reign he sent, of his lords: Benhail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel and Micaiah to teach in the cities of Judah: and with them, Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah and Tobadonijah, Levites: and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests. And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people. And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, that they durst not war with Jehoshaphat. And the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and tribute silver. And thereto the Arabians brought him of sheep, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats. And so Jehoshaphat prospered and grew up on high. And he built, in Judah, castles and store cities. And he had great substance in the cities of Judah, and fighting men and men of might in Jerusalem. And this is the order in the houses of their fathers, of the captains over thousands in Judah: Adnah the captain, and with him of fighting men three hundred thousand. And next to him, Jehohanan a captain, and with him two hundred and eighty thousand. And by his side, Amasiah the son of Zichri, willing unto the LORD, and with him two hundred thousand mighty men. And of the children of Benjamin, Eliada was a man of might, and had with him, armed with bows and shields, two hundred thousand. And by his side Jehozabad, with whom were a hundred and eighty thousand trimmed for war. These waited on the king, besides those which the king had put in strong cities throughout all Judah. And Jehoshaphat became very rich and glorious, and joined affinity with Ahab. And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab slew sheep and oxen plenteously for him and for the people that came with him, and entreated him to go up unto Ramoth in Gilead. And Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, "Wilt thou go with me to Ramoth in Gilead?" And he answered him, "I will be as thou, and my people shall be as thine and we will be with thee in the war." But Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, "Ask, I pray thee, the word of the LORD." And the king of Israel gathered together of the Prophets four hundred men, and said unto them, "Shall we go to Ramoth in Gilead to fight, or shall I cease?" And they said, "Go: God shall deliver it into the king's hand." And Jehoshaphat said, "Is there yet here never a Prophet more of the LORD's, that we might ask of him?" And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is yet one, to ask the LORD by him: But I hate him, for he never prophesieth me good, but always evil, one Micaiah the son of Imlah." And Jehoshaphat said, "Let not the king say so." Then the king of Israel called one of his chamberlains and said, "Fetch hither quickly Micaiah the son of Imlah." And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah sat either of them on his seat in their apparel, in a threshing floor beside the gate of Samaria, and all the Prophets prophesying before them. And one Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron and said, "Thus sayeth the LORD: with these thou shalt winnow Syria until thou hast brought them to naught." And all the Prophets prophesied even so, saying, "Go up to Ramoth in Gilead and prosper, for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king." And the messenger that went to call Micaiah, spake to him saying, "Behold, the words of the Prophets are pleasant to the king with one assent, let thy words, I pray thee, be like one of theirs, and speak that which is pleasant." And Micaiah said, "As truly as the LORD liveth, even what my God sayeth, that will I speak." And when he was come to the king, the king said to him, "Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth in Gilead to fight, or shall I be in rest?" And he answered, "Go ye and prosper, for God shall deliver it into your hands." But the king said to him, "How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but truth to me, in the name of the LORD?" Then he said, "I see all Israel scattered in the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And the LORD said, 'These have no master, let them return every man to his house in peace.'" Then said the king of Israel to Jehoshaphat, "Did I not tell thee, that he would not prophesy good unto me, but evil?" And Micaiah answered, "Therefore hear ye the word of the LORD. I saw the LORD sit upon his seat, and all the company of heaven standing on his righthand and on his left. And the LORD said, 'Who shall deceive Ahab king of Israel, that he may go and be overthrown at Ramoth in Gilead?' And while one said thus and another that, there came out a spirit and stood before the LORD and said, 'I will deceive him.' And the LORD said to him, 'How?' And he said, 'I will go out and will be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets.' And the LORD said, 'Thou shalt deceive him and shalt prevail, go out and do even so.' And now behold the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouths of all these thy prophets, and yet the LORD hath spoken evil against thee." And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah, went to and smote Micaiah upon the cheek, and said, "By what way went the spirit of the LORD from me, to speak in thee?" And Micaiah said, "Thou shalt see the day when thou shalt run from chamber to chamber, for to hide thyself." Then said the king of Israel, take ye Micaiah and deliver him to Amon the governor of city, and to Joash the king's son, and say, "Thus sayeth the king: 'Put this fellow in prison, and feed him with bread and water of tribulation, until I come again in peace.'" And Micaiah said, "If thou come again in peace, then hath not the LORD spoken in me." And Micaiah said moreover, "Hearken to, ye people, every one of you." And so the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat went up to Ramoth in Gilead. Then said the king of Israel to Jehoshaphat, "Change thee and get thee to battle, but see thou have thine own apparel upon thee." And the king of Israel changed himself, and they went to battle. But the king of Syria commanded the captains of his chariots, saying, "See that ye fight not against small or great, save against the king of Israel only." And when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they thought, "It is the king of Israel!" - And therefore compassed about him, to fight. But Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him, and God tysed them away from him. For when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back again from him. And a certain man drew his bow ignorantly and smote the king of Israel between the Joints of his habergeon. And he said to the chariot man, turn thine hand and carry me out of the host, for I am hurt. And the battle arose that day. Howbeit the king of Israel continued standing in his chariot against the Syrians until evening. And about the sun going down, he died. And Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned to his house, safe and sound, to Jerusalem. And Jehu, the son of Hanani the seer, went out against him and said to king Jehoshaphat, "Oughtest thou to help the wicked, and to love them that hate the LORD? In this verily is the wrath of the LORD upon thee. Neverthelater, there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast put away groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God." And as Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem, he went to again and went among the people from Beersheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them again unto the LORD God of their fathers. And he set judges in the land, throughout all the strong cities of Judah, city by city, and said to the judges, "Take heed what ye do: for ye be not judges in the law of man, but of the LORD - which is with you in the words of the law. Wherefore, let the fear of the LORD be with you, and take heed and do it. For there is no unrighteousness in the LORD our God nor regarding of persons, nor taking of rewards." Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites and of the priests and of the ancient heads of Israel, over the customs of the LORD and causes of strife. And then they returned again to Jerusalem. And he charged them, saying, "Do even so in the fear of the LORD with truth and pure heart. And whatsoever come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, law, commandment, ordinances and customs: see that ye warn them, that they trespass not against the LORD; lest wrath come upon you and on your brethren. Thus do and ye shall not offend. And see here, Amariah the priest which is head over you in all matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, a ruler in the house of Judah, he is over all causes concerning the king, with officers of the Levites before you. Take courage to you and go upon it, and the LORD shall be with the good." After that came the children of Moab and the children of Ammon, and with them the Amanim, against Jehoshaphat to battle. And there came that told Jehoshaphat, saying, "There cometh a great multitude against thee from the other side the sea out of Syria. And see, they be in Hazazontamar," which is Engedi. And Jehoshaphat feared and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed fasting throughout all Judah. And Judah gathered themselves together to ask counsel of the LORD. And thereto there came out of all the cities of Judah to seek the LORD. And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem in the house of the LORD before the new court and said, "LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven, and reignest not thou on all the kingdoms of the heathen? And in thine hand is power and might, that no man can stand before thee. Art not thou our God which didst cast out the inhabiters of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy lover forever? And they dwelt therein and have built thee a temple therein unto thy name, and said, 'When evil cometh upon us, as the sword of judgment, pestilence or hunger: then if we stand before this house and before thee - for thy name is in this house - and shall cry unto thee in our tribulation, thou shalt hear and help.' And now behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, by which thou wouldest not let Israel go, when they came out of Egypt: but they departed from them and destroyed them not. And see, how they reward us, to come for to cast us out of thy possession which thou hast possessed us with all. O our God, wilt thou not judge them? For we have no might against this great company that cometh against us. Neither know we what to do: but our eyes be unto thee." And as all Judah stood before the LORD with their young ones, their wives and their children: the spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah the son of Benaiah the son of Jeiel the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, even as he was in the midst of the congregation. And he said, "Hearken all Judah and the inhabiters of Jerusalem, and also king Jehoshaphat! Thus sayeth the LORD unto you: 'Be not afeard or faint hearted by reason of this great multitude. For the war is not yours, but God's. "And tomorrow ye shall go down to them: see, they come up at Ziz, and ye shall meet them in the flags of the brook before the wilderness of Jeruel. Moreover, it belongeth not to you for to fight this quarrel: but step forth and stand and behold the help of the LORD which is with you: fear not, nor let your heart fail you, O ye of Judah and of Jerusalem. Tomorrow go out to them: for the LORD is with you." And Jehoshaphat bowed himself with his face to the city, and all Judah and the inhabiters of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, to bow themselves unto the LORD. And the Levites and the children of the Kohathites and of the Korahites stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high. And so they arose early in the morning and gat them out unto the wilderness of Tekoa. And as they went out Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Hear me, Judah and the inhabiters of Jerusalem: Believe in the LORD your God, and so shall ye continue: and believe his prophets and so shall ye prosper." And he gave the people counsel, and set the singers of the LORD and them that praised in holy apparel, to go out before the army and to say, "Praise the LORD for his mercy lasteth ever." And what time they began to laud and praise, then the LORD set layers await against the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, to destroy them utterly and to wipe them out. And when they had made an end of the inhabiters of Seir, then they helped to destroy each other. And when Judah came to Mizphah in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude. And behold, they were dead carcasses fallen to the earth, and none escaped. And Jehoshaphat and his people went to rob away the spoil of them and found among them abundance of goods and raiment and of pleasant Jewels, and caught from them more than they could carry away: so that they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much. And the fourth day they assembled in the valley of blessing, for there they blessed the LORD. And therefore they called the name of the said place the valley of blessing unto this day. And so all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned and Jehoshaphat among the thickest of them, for to go again to Jerusalem with gladness: for the LORD had made them to rejoice of their enemies. And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets, even unto the house of the LORD. And the fear of God fell in the kingdoms of all lands, when they had heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel. And so the realm of Jehoshaphat was in tranquility: for his God had given him rest on every side. And Jehoshaphat reigned upon Judah, and was thirty five years old when he began to reign, and reigned twenty five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi. And he walked in the way of Asa his father and bowed not therefrom, to do that was pleasant in the sight of the LORD. Howbeit, they put not down the hill altars, neither did the people yet prepare their hearts unto the God of their fathers. The rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, are written in the works of Jehu the son of Hanani, which noted them in the book of the kings of Israel. After this, Jehoshaphat king of Judah joined himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, which was a wicked doer. And he coupled himself with him, to make ships to go to Tarshish. And they made the ships in Eziongeber. And Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, "Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the LORD hath broken thy works." And the ships were broken that they were not able to go to Tarshish. Jehoshaphat laid him to rest with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David, and Jehoram his son reigned in his room:
But sought the LORD God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the doings of Israel. Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought him presents, that he became exceeding rich and glorious. And his heart was courageous in the ways of the LORD, and he put down yet more of the hill altars and groves out of Judah. And the third year of his reign he sent, of his lords: Benhail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel and Micaiah to teach in the cities of Judah: and with them, Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah and Tobadonijah, Levites: and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests. And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people. And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, that they durst not war with Jehoshaphat. And the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and tribute silver. And thereto the Arabians brought him of sheep, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats. And so Jehoshaphat prospered and grew up on high. And he built, in Judah, castles and store cities. And he had great substance in the cities of Judah, and fighting men and men of might in Jerusalem. And this is the order in the houses of their fathers, of the captains over thousands in Judah: Adnah the captain, and with him of fighting men three hundred thousand. And next to him, Jehohanan a captain, and with him two hundred and eighty thousand. And by his side, Amasiah the son of Zichri, willing unto the LORD, and with him two hundred thousand mighty men. And of the children of Benjamin, Eliada was a man of might, and had with him, armed with bows and shields, two hundred thousand. And by his side Jehozabad, with whom were a hundred and eighty thousand trimmed for war. These waited on the king, besides those which the king had put in strong cities throughout all Judah. And Jehoshaphat became very rich and glorious, and joined affinity with Ahab. And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab slew sheep and oxen plenteously for him and for the people that came with him, and entreated him to go up unto Ramoth in Gilead. And Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, "Wilt thou go with me to Ramoth in Gilead?" And he answered him, "I will be as thou, and my people shall be as thine and we will be with thee in the war." But Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, "Ask, I pray thee, the word of the LORD." And the king of Israel gathered together of the Prophets four hundred men, and said unto them, "Shall we go to Ramoth in Gilead to fight, or shall I cease?" And they said, "Go: God shall deliver it into the king's hand." And Jehoshaphat said, "Is there yet here never a Prophet more of the LORD's, that we might ask of him?" And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is yet one, to ask the LORD by him: But I hate him, for he never prophesieth me good, but always evil, one Micaiah the son of Imlah." And Jehoshaphat said, "Let not the king say so." Then the king of Israel called one of his chamberlains and said, "Fetch hither quickly Micaiah the son of Imlah." And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah sat either of them on his seat in their apparel, in a threshing floor beside the gate of Samaria, and all the Prophets prophesying before them. And one Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron and said, "Thus sayeth the LORD: with these thou shalt winnow Syria until thou hast brought them to naught." And all the Prophets prophesied even so, saying, "Go up to Ramoth in Gilead and prosper, for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king." And the messenger that went to call Micaiah, spake to him saying, "Behold, the words of the Prophets are pleasant to the king with one assent, let thy words, I pray thee, be like one of theirs, and speak that which is pleasant." And Micaiah said, "As truly as the LORD liveth, even what my God sayeth, that will I speak." And when he was come to the king, the king said to him, "Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth in Gilead to fight, or shall I be in rest?" And he answered, "Go ye and prosper, for God shall deliver it into your hands." But the king said to him, "How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but truth to me, in the name of the LORD?" Then he said, "I see all Israel scattered in the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And the LORD said, 'These have no master, let them return every man to his house in peace.'" Then said the king of Israel to Jehoshaphat, "Did I not tell thee, that he would not prophesy good unto me, but evil?" And Micaiah answered, "Therefore hear ye the word of the LORD. I saw the LORD sit upon his seat, and all the company of heaven standing on his righthand and on his left. And the LORD said, 'Who shall deceive Ahab king of Israel, that he may go and be overthrown at Ramoth in Gilead?' And while one said thus and another that, there came out a spirit and stood before the LORD and said, 'I will deceive him.' And the LORD said to him, 'How?' And he said, 'I will go out and will be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets.' And the LORD said, 'Thou shalt deceive him and shalt prevail, go out and do even so.' And now behold the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouths of all these thy prophets, and yet the LORD hath spoken evil against thee." And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah, went to and smote Micaiah upon the cheek, and said, "By what way went the spirit of the LORD from me, to speak in thee?" And Micaiah said, "Thou shalt see the day when thou shalt run from chamber to chamber, for to hide thyself." Then said the king of Israel, take ye Micaiah and deliver him to Amon the governor of city, and to Joash the king's son, and say, "Thus sayeth the king: 'Put this fellow in prison, and feed him with bread and water of tribulation, until I come again in peace.'" And Micaiah said, "If thou come again in peace, then hath not the LORD spoken in me." And Micaiah said moreover, "Hearken to, ye people, every one of you." And so the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat went up to Ramoth in Gilead. Then said the king of Israel to Jehoshaphat, "Change thee and get thee to battle, but see thou have thine own apparel upon thee." And the king of Israel changed himself, and they went to battle. But the king of Syria commanded the captains of his chariots, saying, "See that ye fight not against small or great, save against the king of Israel only." And when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they thought, "It is the king of Israel!" - And therefore compassed about him, to fight. But Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him, and God tysed them away from him. For when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back again from him. And a certain man drew his bow ignorantly and smote the king of Israel between the Joints of his habergeon. And he said to the chariot man, turn thine hand and carry me out of the host, for I am hurt. And the battle arose that day. Howbeit the king of Israel continued standing in his chariot against the Syrians until evening. And about the sun going down, he died. And Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned to his house, safe and sound, to Jerusalem. And Jehu, the son of Hanani the seer, went out against him and said to king Jehoshaphat, "Oughtest thou to help the wicked, and to love them that hate the LORD? In this verily is the wrath of the LORD upon thee. Neverthelater, there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast put away groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God." And as Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem, he went to again and went among the people from Beersheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them again unto the LORD God of their fathers. And he set judges in the land, throughout all the strong cities of Judah, city by city, and said to the judges, "Take heed what ye do: for ye be not judges in the law of man, but of the LORD - which is with you in the words of the law. Wherefore, let the fear of the LORD be with you, and take heed and do it. For there is no unrighteousness in the LORD our God nor regarding of persons, nor taking of rewards." Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites and of the priests and of the ancient heads of Israel, over the customs of the LORD and causes of strife. And then they returned again to Jerusalem. And he charged them, saying, "Do even so in the fear of the LORD with truth and pure heart. And whatsoever come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, law, commandment, ordinances and customs: see that ye warn them, that they trespass not against the LORD; lest wrath come upon you and on your brethren. Thus do and ye shall not offend. And see here, Amariah the priest which is head over you in all matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, a ruler in the house of Judah, he is over all causes concerning the king, with officers of the Levites before you. Take courage to you and go upon it, and the LORD shall be with the good." After that came the children of Moab and the children of Ammon, and with them the Amanim, against Jehoshaphat to battle. And there came that told Jehoshaphat, saying, "There cometh a great multitude against thee from the other side the sea out of Syria. And see, they be in Hazazontamar," which is Engedi. And Jehoshaphat feared and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed fasting throughout all Judah. And Judah gathered themselves together to ask counsel of the LORD. And thereto there came out of all the cities of Judah to seek the LORD. And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem in the house of the LORD before the new court and said, "LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven, and reignest not thou on all the kingdoms of the heathen? And in thine hand is power and might, that no man can stand before thee. Art not thou our God which didst cast out the inhabiters of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy lover forever? And they dwelt therein and have built thee a temple therein unto thy name, and said, 'When evil cometh upon us, as the sword of judgment, pestilence or hunger: then if we stand before this house and before thee - for thy name is in this house - and shall cry unto thee in our tribulation, thou shalt hear and help.' And now behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, by which thou wouldest not let Israel go, when they came out of Egypt: but they departed from them and destroyed them not. And see, how they reward us, to come for to cast us out of thy possession which thou hast possessed us with all. O our God, wilt thou not judge them? For we have no might against this great company that cometh against us. Neither know we what to do: but our eyes be unto thee." And as all Judah stood before the LORD with their young ones, their wives and their children: the spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah the son of Benaiah the son of Jeiel the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, even as he was in the midst of the congregation. And he said, "Hearken all Judah and the inhabiters of Jerusalem, and also king Jehoshaphat! Thus sayeth the LORD unto you: 'Be not afeard or faint hearted by reason of this great multitude. For the war is not yours, but God's. "And tomorrow ye shall go down to them: see, they come up at Ziz, and ye shall meet them in the flags of the brook before the wilderness of Jeruel. Moreover, it belongeth not to you for to fight this quarrel: but step forth and stand and behold the help of the LORD which is with you: fear not, nor let your heart fail you, O ye of Judah and of Jerusalem. Tomorrow go out to them: for the LORD is with you." And Jehoshaphat bowed himself with his face to the city, and all Judah and the inhabiters of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, to bow themselves unto the LORD. And the Levites and the children of the Kohathites and of the Korahites stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high. And so they arose early in the morning and gat them out unto the wilderness of Tekoa. And as they went out Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Hear me, Judah and the inhabiters of Jerusalem: Believe in the LORD your God, and so shall ye continue: and believe his prophets and so shall ye prosper." And he gave the people counsel, and set the singers of the LORD and them that praised in holy apparel, to go out before the army and to say, "Praise the LORD for his mercy lasteth ever." And what time they began to laud and praise, then the LORD set layers await against the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, to destroy them utterly and to wipe them out. And when they had made an end of the inhabiters of Seir, then they helped to destroy each other. And when Judah came to Mizphah in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude. And behold, they were dead carcasses fallen to the earth, and none escaped. And Jehoshaphat and his people went to rob away the spoil of them and found among them abundance of goods and raiment and of pleasant Jewels, and caught from them more than they could carry away: so that they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much. And the fourth day they assembled in the valley of blessing, for there they blessed the LORD. And therefore they called the name of the said place the valley of blessing unto this day. And so all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned and Jehoshaphat among the thickest of them, for to go again to Jerusalem with gladness: for the LORD had made them to rejoice of their enemies. And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets, even unto the house of the LORD. And the fear of God fell in the kingdoms of all lands, when they had heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel. And so the realm of Jehoshaphat was in tranquility: for his God had given him rest on every side. And Jehoshaphat reigned upon Judah, and was thirty five years old when he began to reign, and reigned twenty five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi. And he walked in the way of Asa his father and bowed not therefrom, to do that was pleasant in the sight of the LORD. Howbeit, they put not down the hill altars, neither did the people yet prepare their hearts unto the God of their fathers. The rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, are written in the works of Jehu the son of Hanani, which noted them in the book of the kings of Israel. After this, Jehoshaphat king of Judah joined himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, which was a wicked doer. And he coupled himself with him, to make ships to go to Tarshish. And they made the ships in Eziongeber. And Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, "Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the LORD hath broken thy works." And the ships were broken that they were not able to go to Tarshish. Jehoshaphat laid him to rest with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David, and Jehoram his son reigned in his room:
Prayer » Examples of Prayers answered » Jehoshaphat
And the LORD sent an angel and destroyed all the men of war and the lords and captains of the host of the king of Assyria, that he turned his face, with shame, towards his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, he was there overthrown with the sword - even by them that issued out of his bowels.
and made intercession to him: and he was entreated of him and heard his prayer and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. And then Manasseh knew how that the LORD was very God.
And when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they thought, "It is the king of Israel!" - And therefore compassed about him, to fight. But Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him, and God tysed them away from him.
Prayer » Answered » Jehoshaphat, for victory over the canaanites
And when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they thought, "It is the king of Israel!" - And therefore compassed about him, to fight. But Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him, and God tysed them away from him.
and said, "LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven, and reignest not thou on all the kingdoms of the heathen? And in thine hand is power and might, that no man can stand before thee. Art not thou our God which didst cast out the inhabiters of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy lover forever? And they dwelt therein and have built thee a temple therein unto thy name, and said, read more.
'When evil cometh upon us, as the sword of judgment, pestilence or hunger: then if we stand before this house and before thee - for thy name is in this house - and shall cry unto thee in our tribulation, thou shalt hear and help.' And now behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, by which thou wouldest not let Israel go, when they came out of Egypt: but they departed from them and destroyed them not. And see, how they reward us, to come for to cast us out of thy possession which thou hast possessed us with all. O our God, wilt thou not judge them? For we have no might against this great company that cometh against us. Neither know we what to do: but our eyes be unto thee." And as all Judah stood before the LORD with their young ones, their wives and their children: the spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah the son of Benaiah the son of Jeiel the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, even as he was in the midst of the congregation. And he said, "Hearken all Judah and the inhabiters of Jerusalem, and also king Jehoshaphat! Thus sayeth the LORD unto you: 'Be not afeard or faint hearted by reason of this great multitude. For the war is not yours, but God's. "And tomorrow ye shall go down to them: see, they come up at Ziz, and ye shall meet them in the flags of the brook before the wilderness of Jeruel. Moreover, it belongeth not to you for to fight this quarrel: but step forth and stand and behold the help of the LORD which is with you: fear not, nor let your heart fail you, O ye of Judah and of Jerusalem. Tomorrow go out to them: for the LORD is with you." And Jehoshaphat bowed himself with his face to the city, and all Judah and the inhabiters of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, to bow themselves unto the LORD. And the Levites and the children of the Kohathites and of the Korahites stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high. And so they arose early in the morning and gat them out unto the wilderness of Tekoa. And as they went out Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Hear me, Judah and the inhabiters of Jerusalem: Believe in the LORD your God, and so shall ye continue: and believe his prophets and so shall ye prosper." And he gave the people counsel, and set the singers of the LORD and them that praised in holy apparel, to go out before the army and to say, "Praise the LORD for his mercy lasteth ever." And what time they began to laud and praise, then the LORD set layers await against the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, to destroy them utterly and to wipe them out. And when they had made an end of the inhabiters of Seir, then they helped to destroy each other. And when Judah came to Mizphah in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude. And behold, they were dead carcasses fallen to the earth, and none escaped. And Jehoshaphat and his people went to rob away the spoil of them and found among them abundance of goods and raiment and of pleasant Jewels, and caught from them more than they could carry away: so that they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much. And the fourth day they assembled in the valley of blessing, for there they blessed the LORD. And therefore they called the name of the said place the valley of blessing unto this day. And so all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned and Jehoshaphat among the thickest of them, for to go again to Jerusalem with gladness: for the LORD had made them to rejoice of their enemies.
'When evil cometh upon us, as the sword of judgment, pestilence or hunger: then if we stand before this house and before thee - for thy name is in this house - and shall cry unto thee in our tribulation, thou shalt hear and help.' And now behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, by which thou wouldest not let Israel go, when they came out of Egypt: but they departed from them and destroyed them not. And see, how they reward us, to come for to cast us out of thy possession which thou hast possessed us with all. O our God, wilt thou not judge them? For we have no might against this great company that cometh against us. Neither know we what to do: but our eyes be unto thee." And as all Judah stood before the LORD with their young ones, their wives and their children: the spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah the son of Benaiah the son of Jeiel the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, even as he was in the midst of the congregation. And he said, "Hearken all Judah and the inhabiters of Jerusalem, and also king Jehoshaphat! Thus sayeth the LORD unto you: 'Be not afeard or faint hearted by reason of this great multitude. For the war is not yours, but God's. "And tomorrow ye shall go down to them: see, they come up at Ziz, and ye shall meet them in the flags of the brook before the wilderness of Jeruel. Moreover, it belongeth not to you for to fight this quarrel: but step forth and stand and behold the help of the LORD which is with you: fear not, nor let your heart fail you, O ye of Judah and of Jerusalem. Tomorrow go out to them: for the LORD is with you." And Jehoshaphat bowed himself with his face to the city, and all Judah and the inhabiters of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, to bow themselves unto the LORD. And the Levites and the children of the Kohathites and of the Korahites stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high. And so they arose early in the morning and gat them out unto the wilderness of Tekoa. And as they went out Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Hear me, Judah and the inhabiters of Jerusalem: Believe in the LORD your God, and so shall ye continue: and believe his prophets and so shall ye prosper." And he gave the people counsel, and set the singers of the LORD and them that praised in holy apparel, to go out before the army and to say, "Praise the LORD for his mercy lasteth ever." And what time they began to laud and praise, then the LORD set layers await against the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, to destroy them utterly and to wipe them out. And when they had made an end of the inhabiters of Seir, then they helped to destroy each other. And when Judah came to Mizphah in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude. And behold, they were dead carcasses fallen to the earth, and none escaped. And Jehoshaphat and his people went to rob away the spoil of them and found among them abundance of goods and raiment and of pleasant Jewels, and caught from them more than they could carry away: so that they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much. And the fourth day they assembled in the valley of blessing, for there they blessed the LORD. And therefore they called the name of the said place the valley of blessing unto this day. And so all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned and Jehoshaphat among the thickest of them, for to go again to Jerusalem with gladness: for the LORD had made them to rejoice of their enemies.