Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Jehoshaphat » King of judah, son of asa
Jehoshaphat was wealthy and honorable. He became Ahab's in-law.
Verse Concepts
Shortly after that the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites came to wage war against Jehoshaphat.
Verse Concepts
Jehoshaphat son of Asa became king of Judah in the fourth year of the reign of King Ahab of Israel.
So Asa went to rest with his fathers and was buried in the town of David his father. Jehoshaphat his son became king in his place.
Verse Concepts
Jehoshaphat died and was buried in the royal tombs in David's City and his son Jehoram succeeded him as king.
Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat became king of Judah. It was the fifth year of the reign of Joram son of Ahab as king of Israel.
Verse Concepts
Jehoshaphat succeeded his father Asa as king and strengthened his position against Israel.
King Jehoshaphat of Judah returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem.
Verse Concepts
Kings » Who reigned over judah » Jehoshaphat
Jehoshaphat son of Asa became king of Judah in the fourth year of the reign of King Ahab of Israel. He was thirty-five years old. He ruled in Jerusalem for twenty-five years. His mother was Azubah, the daughter of Shilhi. Like his father Asa before him, he did what was right in the sight of Jehovah. However the places of worship were not destroyed, and the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there. read more.
Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel. Everything else that Jehoshaphat did, all his bravery and his battles, are recorded in The History of the Kings of Judah. He banished all the male and female prostitutes serving at the pagan altars who were still left from the days of his father Asa. The land of Edom had no king. A deputy appointed by the king of Judah ruled it. King Jehoshaphat had ocean-going ships built to sail to the land of Ophir for gold. They were wrecked at Eziongeber and never sailed. King Ahaziah of Israel offered to let his men sail with Jehoshaphat's men. Jehoshaphat refused the offer. Jehoshaphat died and was buried in the royal tombs in David's City. His son Jehoram succeeded him as king.
Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel. Everything else that Jehoshaphat did, all his bravery and his battles, are recorded in The History of the Kings of Judah. He banished all the male and female prostitutes serving at the pagan altars who were still left from the days of his father Asa. The land of Edom had no king. A deputy appointed by the king of Judah ruled it. King Jehoshaphat had ocean-going ships built to sail to the land of Ophir for gold. They were wrecked at Eziongeber and never sailed. King Ahaziah of Israel offered to let his men sail with Jehoshaphat's men. Jehoshaphat refused the offer. Jehoshaphat died and was buried in the royal tombs in David's City. His son Jehoram succeeded him as king.
Jehoshaphat succeeded his father Asa as king and strengthened his position against Israel. He stationed troops in the fortified cities of Judah. He also put troops in the Judean countryside, and in the cities that Asa had captured in the territory of Ephraim. Jehovah blessed Jehoshaphat because he followed the example of his father's early life and did not worship Baal. read more.
He served his father's God. He obeyed God's commandments, and did not act the way the kings of Israel did. Jehovah gave Jehoshaphat firm control over the kingdom of Judah. The people brought him gifts, so that he became wealthy and highly honored. His heart was devoted to the ways of Jehovah. He destroyed all the pagan places of worship and the symbols of the goddess Asherah in Judah. In the third year of his reign he sent out the following officials to teach in the cities of Judah: Benhail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah. With them were the Levites Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, Tob Adonijah, and the priests Elishama and Jehoram. They taught in Judah. They had the Book of Torah (the Law) (Jehovah's Teachings) with them when they taught the people in all the cities of Judah. All the kingdoms around Judah were afraid of Jehovah. As a result, they did not wage war against Jehoshaphat. Some of the Philistines brought gifts and silver as taxes. The Arabs also brought him flocks: seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred male goats. Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful. He built fortresses and cities where supplies were stored in Judah. He stored large supplies of food in the cities of Judah and an army of professional soldiers served him in Jerusalem. The following is a breakdown of these soldiers. They are listed by families. Judah's regimental commanders were Commander Adnah with three hundred thousand fighting men, next to him was Commander Jehohanan with two hundred and eighty thousand men. There was Amasiah, Zichri's son, who volunteered to serve Jehovah with two hundred thousand fighting men. From Benjamin there was the fighting man Eliada with two hundred thousand armed men with bows and shields. Next to him was Jehozabad with an army of one hundred and eighty thousand armed men. These were the men who served the king in addition to those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout Judah. Jehoshaphat was wealthy and honorable. He became Ahab's in-law. After that he went to visit Ahab in Samaria. Ahab slaughtered many sheep and cattle for a banquet in honor of Jehoshaphat and the people who were with him. Ahab persuaded Jehoshaphat to attack Ramoth in Gilead with him. He asked: Will you go with me to attack Ramoth? Jehoshaphat replied: I am ready when you are. My army is ready. We will join you. He added: But first let us consult Jehovah. Ahab called in about four hundred prophets. He asked them: Should I go and attack Ramoth, or not? Attack it, they answered. God will give you victory. Jehoshaphat asked: Is there another prophet through whom we can consult Jehovah? Ahab answered: There is one more. He is Micaiah son of Imlah. But I hate him because he never prophesies anything good for me. It is always something bad. Jehoshaphat replied: You should not say that. Consequently King Ahab called in a court official and told him to go and get Micaiah at once. The two kings, dressed in their royal robes, sat on their thrones at the threshing place just outside the gate of Samaria. All the prophets were prophesying in front of them. One of them, Zedekiah son of Chenaanah, made iron horns and said to Ahab: This is what Jehovah says: With these you will fight the Syrians and totally defeat them. All the other prophets said the same thing. March against Ramoth and you will win, they said. Jehovah will give you victory. The official who had gone to get Micaiah said to him: All the other prophets have prophesied success for the king. You had better do the same. But Micaiah answered: By the living God Jehovah I will say what my God tells me to say. When he appeared before King Ahab, the king asked him: Micaiah, should King Jehoshaphat and I go and attack Ramoth, or not? Attack! Micaiah answered. You will win! Jehovah will give you victory. Ahab replied: When you speak to me in the name of Jehovah, tell the truth! How many times do I have to tell you that? Micaiah answered: I can see the army of Israel scattered over the hills like sheep without a shepherd. Jehovah said: These men have no leader. Let them go home in peace. Ahab said to Jehoshaphat: I told you that he never prophesies anything good for me. It is always something bad! Micaiah continued: Now listen to what Jehovah says! I saw Jehovah sitting on his throne in heaven. All his angels were standing beside him. Jehovah asked: Who will deceive Ahab so that he will go and get killed at Ramoth? Some of the angels said one thing, and others said something else, until a spirit stepped forward, approached Jehovah, and said: I will deceive him. How? Jehovah asked. The spirit replied: I will go and make all of Ahab's prophets tell lies. Jehovah said: Go and deceive him. You will succeed. Micaiah concluded: This is what has happened. Jehovah made these prophets of yours lie to you. But he has decreed that you will meet with disaster! Then the prophet Zedekiah went up to Micaiah and slapped his face. He asked: Since when did Jehovah's spirit leave me and speak to you? You will find out when you go into some back room to hide, Micaiah replied. Then King Ahab ordered one of his officers: Arrest Micaiah and take him to Amon, the governor of the city, and to Prince Joash. Say: This is what the king says: 'Put this man in prison, and feed him nothing but bread and water until I return home safely.' Micaiah said: If you really do come back safely, then Jehovah was not speaking through me. Pay attention to this, everyone! Thus the king of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah went to Ramoth in Gilead. The king of Israel told Jehoshaphat: I will disguise myself and go into battle. You, however, should wear your royal robes. So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle. The king of Aram gave orders to the chariot commanders. He said: Do not fight anyone except the king of Israel. When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they said: He must be the king of Israel. So they surrounded him in order to fight him. When Jehoshaphat cried out Jehovah helped him. God drew them away from him. Soon the chariot commanders realized that Jehoshaphat was not the king of Israel. Then they turned away from him. One man aimed his bow at random and hit the king of Israel between his scale armor and his breastplate. Ahab told the chariot driver: Turn around, and get me away from these troops for I am badly wounded. The battle raged on and King Ahab remained propped up in his chariot, facing the Syrians. At sunset he died. King Jehoshaphat of Judah returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem. A prophet, Jehu son of Hanani, went to meet the king. He said to him: Do you think it is right to help those who are wicked and to take the side of those who hate Jehovah? What you have done has brought Jehovah's anger upon you. Regardless of this, there is some good in you. You have removed all the symbols of the goddess Asherah that people worshiped. You have tried to follow God's will. While Jehoshaphat was living in Jerusalem, he regularly went to the people between Beersheba and the mountains of Ephraim. He brought the people back to Jehovah the God of their ancestors. He appointed judges in the country, in each fortified city of Judah. He told the judges: Be careful when you make your decisions in court. Remember these are Jehovah's people. He will know the judgements you decide. Do your work in honor of him and know that he will not allow you to be unfair to anyone or to take bribes. Jehoshaphat also appointed some Levites, some priests, and some of the family leaders to serve as judges in Jerusalem. He told them: Faithfully serve Jehovah! Warn your relatives living in other cities about every case they bring to you, even if the case involves bloodshed or commandments, rules, or regulations derived from the law. Then your relatives will not become guilty in front of Jehovah. Otherwise, he will become angry with you and your relatives. Do this and you will not be guilty of anything. The chief priest Amariah will be in charge of you in every matter involving Jehovah. Zebadiah, who is the son of Ishmael and the leader of the tribe of Judah, will be in charge of every matter involving the king. The Levites will serve as officers of the court. Be strong and do your job. May Jehovah be with those who do right. Shortly after that the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites came to wage war against Jehoshaphat. Some men reported to Jehoshaphat: A large crowd is coming against you from the other side of the Dead Sea, from Edom. The crowd is already in Hazazon Tamar (En Gedi). Jehoshaphat was frightened and decided to ask for Jehovah's help. He announced a fast throughout Judah. The people of Judah gathered to seek Jehovah's help. They came from every city in Judah. In the new courtyard at Jehovah's Temple, Jehoshaphat stood in front of the people. He prayed aloud: O Jehovah, God of our ancestors, you rule in heaven over all the nations of the world. You are powerful and mighty. No one can oppose you. You are our God. When your people Israel moved into this land, you drove out the people who were living here and gave the land to the descendants of Abraham, your friend, to be theirs from generation to generation. Our ancestors lived in this land and built a Temple to honor you. They believed that whenever this land is struck by war, judgement, disease, or famine, your people can pray to you at the Temple. You will hear their prayer and save them. You can see that the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Edom are attacking us! Those are the nations you would not let our ancestors invade on their way from Egypt. Consequently these nations were not destroyed. They are now paying us back by coming to force us out of your land that you gave to us. You are our God. Will you judge them? We do not have the strength to face this large crowd that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, so we are looking to you. All the people from Judah, their infants, wives, and children were standing in front of Jehovah. Then Jehovah's Spirit came to Jahaziel. He was the son of Zechariah, grandson of Benaiah, great-grandson of Jeiel, whose father was Mattaniah, a Levite descended from Asaph. Jahaziel said: Pay attention to me, everyone from Judah, everyone living in Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat. This is what Jehovah says to you: 'Do not be frightened or terrified by this large crowd. The battle is not yours. It is God's. Attack them tomorrow as they come up the pass at Ziz. Meet them at the end of the valley that leads to the wild country near Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Just take up your positions and wait. You will see Jehovah give you victory. People of Judah and Jerusalem, do not hesitate or be afraid.' Go out to battle. Jehovah will be with you! Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low. His face was touching the ground. All the people bowed with him and worshiped Jehovah. The members of the Levite clans of Kohath and Korah stood up and with a loud shout praised Jehovah, the God of Israel. Early the next morning the people went out to the wild country near Tekoa. Before they began Jehoshaphat addressed them with these words: 'People of Judah and Jerusalem! Put your trust in Jehovah your God. You will stand your ground. Believe what his prophets tell you, and you will succeed. After consulting with the people, the king ordered some musicians to put on the robes they wore on sacred occasions and to march ahead of the army. They sang: 'Praise Jehovah! His love is eternal!' As soon as they began singing, Jehovah confused the enemy camp, The Ammonite and Moabite troops attacked and completely destroyed those from Edom. Then they turned against each other and fought until the entire camp was wiped out! Judah's army reached the tower that overlooked the desert. They saw that every soldier in the enemy's army was lying dead on the ground. Jehoshaphat and his troops came to take the loot. They found among them a lot of goods, clothes, and valuables. They found more than they could carry. They spent three days collecting the loot. They gathered in the valley of Beracah on the fourth day. Because they thanked Jehovah there, that place is still called the Valley of Beracah (Thanks) today. All the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned to Jerusalem. They rejoiced while Jehoshaphat led them. Jehovah gave them a reason to rejoice about what had happened to their enemies. They brought harps, lyres, and trumpets to Jehovah's Temple in Jerusalem. Deep respect for Jehovah came over the kingdoms in that area when they heard how Jehovah waged war against Israel's enemies. Jehoshaphat's kingdom was peaceful, since his God surrounded him with peace. Jehoshaphat ruled as king of Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he began to rule. He ruled for twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Azubah, daughter of Shilhi. Jehoshaphat carefully followed the example his father Asa had set and did what Jehovah considered right. However the illegal worship sites on the hills were not torn down. The people still did not have their hearts set on the God of their ancestors. Everything else about Jehoshaphat from first to last is written in the records of Jehu, son of Hanani, which is included in the Book of the Kings of Israel. After this, King Jehoshaphat of Judah allied himself with King Ahaziah of Israel, who led him to do evil. Jehoshaphat joined him in making ships to go to Tarshish. They made the ships in Ezion Geber. Eliezer was the son of Dodavahu from Mareshah. He prophesied against Jehoshaphat. He said: Jehovah will destroy your work because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah. The ships were wrecked and could not go to Tarshish. Jehoshaphat died and was buried in the royal tombs in David's City and his son Jehoram succeeded him as king.
He served his father's God. He obeyed God's commandments, and did not act the way the kings of Israel did. Jehovah gave Jehoshaphat firm control over the kingdom of Judah. The people brought him gifts, so that he became wealthy and highly honored. His heart was devoted to the ways of Jehovah. He destroyed all the pagan places of worship and the symbols of the goddess Asherah in Judah. In the third year of his reign he sent out the following officials to teach in the cities of Judah: Benhail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah. With them were the Levites Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, Tob Adonijah, and the priests Elishama and Jehoram. They taught in Judah. They had the Book of Torah (the Law) (Jehovah's Teachings) with them when they taught the people in all the cities of Judah. All the kingdoms around Judah were afraid of Jehovah. As a result, they did not wage war against Jehoshaphat. Some of the Philistines brought gifts and silver as taxes. The Arabs also brought him flocks: seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred male goats. Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful. He built fortresses and cities where supplies were stored in Judah. He stored large supplies of food in the cities of Judah and an army of professional soldiers served him in Jerusalem. The following is a breakdown of these soldiers. They are listed by families. Judah's regimental commanders were Commander Adnah with three hundred thousand fighting men, next to him was Commander Jehohanan with two hundred and eighty thousand men. There was Amasiah, Zichri's son, who volunteered to serve Jehovah with two hundred thousand fighting men. From Benjamin there was the fighting man Eliada with two hundred thousand armed men with bows and shields. Next to him was Jehozabad with an army of one hundred and eighty thousand armed men. These were the men who served the king in addition to those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout Judah. Jehoshaphat was wealthy and honorable. He became Ahab's in-law. After that he went to visit Ahab in Samaria. Ahab slaughtered many sheep and cattle for a banquet in honor of Jehoshaphat and the people who were with him. Ahab persuaded Jehoshaphat to attack Ramoth in Gilead with him. He asked: Will you go with me to attack Ramoth? Jehoshaphat replied: I am ready when you are. My army is ready. We will join you. He added: But first let us consult Jehovah. Ahab called in about four hundred prophets. He asked them: Should I go and attack Ramoth, or not? Attack it, they answered. God will give you victory. Jehoshaphat asked: Is there another prophet through whom we can consult Jehovah? Ahab answered: There is one more. He is Micaiah son of Imlah. But I hate him because he never prophesies anything good for me. It is always something bad. Jehoshaphat replied: You should not say that. Consequently King Ahab called in a court official and told him to go and get Micaiah at once. The two kings, dressed in their royal robes, sat on their thrones at the threshing place just outside the gate of Samaria. All the prophets were prophesying in front of them. One of them, Zedekiah son of Chenaanah, made iron horns and said to Ahab: This is what Jehovah says: With these you will fight the Syrians and totally defeat them. All the other prophets said the same thing. March against Ramoth and you will win, they said. Jehovah will give you victory. The official who had gone to get Micaiah said to him: All the other prophets have prophesied success for the king. You had better do the same. But Micaiah answered: By the living God Jehovah I will say what my God tells me to say. When he appeared before King Ahab, the king asked him: Micaiah, should King Jehoshaphat and I go and attack Ramoth, or not? Attack! Micaiah answered. You will win! Jehovah will give you victory. Ahab replied: When you speak to me in the name of Jehovah, tell the truth! How many times do I have to tell you that? Micaiah answered: I can see the army of Israel scattered over the hills like sheep without a shepherd. Jehovah said: These men have no leader. Let them go home in peace. Ahab said to Jehoshaphat: I told you that he never prophesies anything good for me. It is always something bad! Micaiah continued: Now listen to what Jehovah says! I saw Jehovah sitting on his throne in heaven. All his angels were standing beside him. Jehovah asked: Who will deceive Ahab so that he will go and get killed at Ramoth? Some of the angels said one thing, and others said something else, until a spirit stepped forward, approached Jehovah, and said: I will deceive him. How? Jehovah asked. The spirit replied: I will go and make all of Ahab's prophets tell lies. Jehovah said: Go and deceive him. You will succeed. Micaiah concluded: This is what has happened. Jehovah made these prophets of yours lie to you. But he has decreed that you will meet with disaster! Then the prophet Zedekiah went up to Micaiah and slapped his face. He asked: Since when did Jehovah's spirit leave me and speak to you? You will find out when you go into some back room to hide, Micaiah replied. Then King Ahab ordered one of his officers: Arrest Micaiah and take him to Amon, the governor of the city, and to Prince Joash. Say: This is what the king says: 'Put this man in prison, and feed him nothing but bread and water until I return home safely.' Micaiah said: If you really do come back safely, then Jehovah was not speaking through me. Pay attention to this, everyone! Thus the king of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah went to Ramoth in Gilead. The king of Israel told Jehoshaphat: I will disguise myself and go into battle. You, however, should wear your royal robes. So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle. The king of Aram gave orders to the chariot commanders. He said: Do not fight anyone except the king of Israel. When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they said: He must be the king of Israel. So they surrounded him in order to fight him. When Jehoshaphat cried out Jehovah helped him. God drew them away from him. Soon the chariot commanders realized that Jehoshaphat was not the king of Israel. Then they turned away from him. One man aimed his bow at random and hit the king of Israel between his scale armor and his breastplate. Ahab told the chariot driver: Turn around, and get me away from these troops for I am badly wounded. The battle raged on and King Ahab remained propped up in his chariot, facing the Syrians. At sunset he died. King Jehoshaphat of Judah returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem. A prophet, Jehu son of Hanani, went to meet the king. He said to him: Do you think it is right to help those who are wicked and to take the side of those who hate Jehovah? What you have done has brought Jehovah's anger upon you. Regardless of this, there is some good in you. You have removed all the symbols of the goddess Asherah that people worshiped. You have tried to follow God's will. While Jehoshaphat was living in Jerusalem, he regularly went to the people between Beersheba and the mountains of Ephraim. He brought the people back to Jehovah the God of their ancestors. He appointed judges in the country, in each fortified city of Judah. He told the judges: Be careful when you make your decisions in court. Remember these are Jehovah's people. He will know the judgements you decide. Do your work in honor of him and know that he will not allow you to be unfair to anyone or to take bribes. Jehoshaphat also appointed some Levites, some priests, and some of the family leaders to serve as judges in Jerusalem. He told them: Faithfully serve Jehovah! Warn your relatives living in other cities about every case they bring to you, even if the case involves bloodshed or commandments, rules, or regulations derived from the law. Then your relatives will not become guilty in front of Jehovah. Otherwise, he will become angry with you and your relatives. Do this and you will not be guilty of anything. The chief priest Amariah will be in charge of you in every matter involving Jehovah. Zebadiah, who is the son of Ishmael and the leader of the tribe of Judah, will be in charge of every matter involving the king. The Levites will serve as officers of the court. Be strong and do your job. May Jehovah be with those who do right. Shortly after that the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites came to wage war against Jehoshaphat. Some men reported to Jehoshaphat: A large crowd is coming against you from the other side of the Dead Sea, from Edom. The crowd is already in Hazazon Tamar (En Gedi). Jehoshaphat was frightened and decided to ask for Jehovah's help. He announced a fast throughout Judah. The people of Judah gathered to seek Jehovah's help. They came from every city in Judah. In the new courtyard at Jehovah's Temple, Jehoshaphat stood in front of the people. He prayed aloud: O Jehovah, God of our ancestors, you rule in heaven over all the nations of the world. You are powerful and mighty. No one can oppose you. You are our God. When your people Israel moved into this land, you drove out the people who were living here and gave the land to the descendants of Abraham, your friend, to be theirs from generation to generation. Our ancestors lived in this land and built a Temple to honor you. They believed that whenever this land is struck by war, judgement, disease, or famine, your people can pray to you at the Temple. You will hear their prayer and save them. You can see that the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Edom are attacking us! Those are the nations you would not let our ancestors invade on their way from Egypt. Consequently these nations were not destroyed. They are now paying us back by coming to force us out of your land that you gave to us. You are our God. Will you judge them? We do not have the strength to face this large crowd that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, so we are looking to you. All the people from Judah, their infants, wives, and children were standing in front of Jehovah. Then Jehovah's Spirit came to Jahaziel. He was the son of Zechariah, grandson of Benaiah, great-grandson of Jeiel, whose father was Mattaniah, a Levite descended from Asaph. Jahaziel said: Pay attention to me, everyone from Judah, everyone living in Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat. This is what Jehovah says to you: 'Do not be frightened or terrified by this large crowd. The battle is not yours. It is God's. Attack them tomorrow as they come up the pass at Ziz. Meet them at the end of the valley that leads to the wild country near Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Just take up your positions and wait. You will see Jehovah give you victory. People of Judah and Jerusalem, do not hesitate or be afraid.' Go out to battle. Jehovah will be with you! Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low. His face was touching the ground. All the people bowed with him and worshiped Jehovah. The members of the Levite clans of Kohath and Korah stood up and with a loud shout praised Jehovah, the God of Israel. Early the next morning the people went out to the wild country near Tekoa. Before they began Jehoshaphat addressed them with these words: 'People of Judah and Jerusalem! Put your trust in Jehovah your God. You will stand your ground. Believe what his prophets tell you, and you will succeed. After consulting with the people, the king ordered some musicians to put on the robes they wore on sacred occasions and to march ahead of the army. They sang: 'Praise Jehovah! His love is eternal!' As soon as they began singing, Jehovah confused the enemy camp, The Ammonite and Moabite troops attacked and completely destroyed those from Edom. Then they turned against each other and fought until the entire camp was wiped out! Judah's army reached the tower that overlooked the desert. They saw that every soldier in the enemy's army was lying dead on the ground. Jehoshaphat and his troops came to take the loot. They found among them a lot of goods, clothes, and valuables. They found more than they could carry. They spent three days collecting the loot. They gathered in the valley of Beracah on the fourth day. Because they thanked Jehovah there, that place is still called the Valley of Beracah (Thanks) today. All the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned to Jerusalem. They rejoiced while Jehoshaphat led them. Jehovah gave them a reason to rejoice about what had happened to their enemies. They brought harps, lyres, and trumpets to Jehovah's Temple in Jerusalem. Deep respect for Jehovah came over the kingdoms in that area when they heard how Jehovah waged war against Israel's enemies. Jehoshaphat's kingdom was peaceful, since his God surrounded him with peace. Jehoshaphat ruled as king of Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he began to rule. He ruled for twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Azubah, daughter of Shilhi. Jehoshaphat carefully followed the example his father Asa had set and did what Jehovah considered right. However the illegal worship sites on the hills were not torn down. The people still did not have their hearts set on the God of their ancestors. Everything else about Jehoshaphat from first to last is written in the records of Jehu, son of Hanani, which is included in the Book of the Kings of Israel. After this, King Jehoshaphat of Judah allied himself with King Ahaziah of Israel, who led him to do evil. Jehoshaphat joined him in making ships to go to Tarshish. They made the ships in Ezion Geber. Eliezer was the son of Dodavahu from Mareshah. He prophesied against Jehoshaphat. He said: Jehovah will destroy your work because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah. The ships were wrecked and could not go to Tarshish. Jehoshaphat died and was buried in the royal tombs in David's City and his son Jehoram succeeded him as king.