Jehoshaphat, A Good King- Sort Of

       After the reign of Solomon, the nation of Israel was split into two countries: 10 tribes to the north called Israel and Benjamin and Judah to the south called Judah.  Israel was given to various kings, but David’s line continued to reign over Judah.  Into this line Jehoshaphat was born.  He began his reign at 35 and ruled for 25 years.  The Bible records his reign as a good one:

And he walked in all the ways of Asa his father. He did not turn aside from it, doing right in the eyes of Jehovah... 1Kn. 22:43

but sought the God of his father and walked in his commandments, and not according to the practices of Israel. Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand... His heart was courageous in the ways of the LORD… 2Chr. 17:4-6 ESV

This is most of the highlights from 1Kn. 22 and 2Chr. 17-20:

       (KJ short for king Jehoshaphat in this post)

-KJ made peace with the kings of Israel, starting with Ahab, the wicked, idolatrous ruler of Israel 1Kn. 22:44

-KJ (3^rd year) sends officials to teach God’s laws throughout Judah 2Chr. 17:7-9

-KJ arranged marriage for son Jehoram with Ahab’s daughter 2Chr. 18:1

(this caused Jehoram to have an evil reign as he followed the kings of Israel 1Chr. 21:6)

-KJ visits Ahab 1Kn 22, 2Chr. 18

-Ahab wants KJ to go to war against Ramoth-Gilead, Syria

-KJ says something like ‘sure, we are the same.  what’s mine is yours’ (v.4)

-KJ asks for word from God, whether they should go

-Ahab sends for prophets of false gods who say ‘go and you will win’

-KJ wants a prophet of Jehovah who then contradicts the false ones

-KJ and Ahab choose to go to war anyway

(after this a prophet said) Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? ... Nevertheless, some good is found in you, for you destroyed the Asheroth out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God. 2Chr. 19:2,3

-KJ appointed judges (civil and religious) told to judge righteously 2Chr. 19:5-11

-nations come to make war with KJ 2Chr. 20

-KJ seeks Jehovah for help and calls for fast v.3

-Jehovah saves, gives Judah rest from strife

-KJ allies himself with king Ahaziah of Israel (an evil, idolatrous king)

-God disciplines KJ

       So I look at king Jehoshaphat’s life and say hmmm.  He didn’t seem like he quite knew what he wanted.  Sure he was passionate in the nation following and worshipping Jehovah- and his many actions proved that, but he also asked for a word and then completely ignored what God told him.  He was so desirous of being at peace with Israel, that he arranged his son to be married to an idolatrous woman.  Did he think that through at all- did he ask God first?  KJ humbles himself to pray and fast and God miraculously saves, then he makes an alliance with Israel’s king Ahaziah.  It seems like KJ was still trying to have his own control in some things.

       It makes me question, was his heart really into God, knowing God, and loving God, or was he only serving God?  Was he just fallible or prone to sin like the rest of us?  Perhaps he was content to be ‘good enough’.  Personally, I question all of us Christians today.  Are we content to be ‘good enough’ but ignore God’s will for us when it’s not convenient or not our desire?  Do we go to church, say grace, read the Bible occasionally, but ally ourselves with the world?

       Question to self, do I ally myself with the behaviours, attitudes and values of the world?  Do I always seek the Lord and when I hear His voice, do I obey or let my flesh decide?  When our lives are over, what will the Lord say about us, for He alone knows our hearts (Lk. 16:15) and can judge them righteously. 

…For Jehovah searches all hearts and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts.

If you seek Him, He will be found by you.

But if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.

1Chr. 28:9