Study notes
Jehoshaphat reigned from 872 to 848 BC, including a two-year co-regency with his father, Asa. Asa's last years were marked by conflicts and oppression. Jehoshaphat needed to strengthen his rule in Judah to bring back peace and stability. During Asa's time, Israel was an enemy, but Jehoshaphat soon formed an alliance with Ahab (2 Chronicles 18:1–2).
Jehoshaphat followed David’s example as king during his entire rule. He worshipped only God and followed the Mount Sinai covenant. He made sure that everyone he ruled over was taught the Law of Moses.
He appointed judges all throughout the southern kingdom. The judges helped people understand how to apply the law. They decided between hard cases fairly and with wisdom.
Jehoshaphat got rid of everything that had to do with worshipping false gods. These were things that every king was supposed to do. These things helped God’s people live as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.
Jehoshaphat acted wisely when the Moabites, Ammonites and people from Edom were about to attack. He led the people of the southern kingdom to ask God for help. All together they went without eating food. This is called fasting. It showed how serious they were about praying to God for help.
This was very different from how people made decisions before kings ruled in Israel. During the time of the 12 judges, the people did anything they thought was right (Judges 21:25). Jehoshaphat was the kind of king that the book of Judges showed was needed.
Jehoshaphat’s prayer showed that he was humble. He trusted God to bring judgement against those who attacked them. God answered his prayer by sending a message through a Levite from Asaph’s family line. The message encouraged the people to have hope because God was with them. The people worshipped and praised God when they heard the message. That is how they marched into battle. People singing praises to God went in front of the soldiers. They didn’t have to fight because God caused the other armies to destroy one another.
The people groups around the southern kingdom noticed the way Jehoshaphat’s people lived. They noticed the ways God protected the southern kingdom. What they noticed made the other nations become afraid of the Lord. This meant that they respected God and wouldn’t attack his people. So the southern kingdom enjoyed the covenant blessings of peace and rest.
When Jehoshaphat did foolish things, prophets spoke against him. He listened to them and didn’t punish them. This happened when Jehoshaphat married a daughter of Ahab and joined Ahab in a battle. It also happened when Jehoshaphat made an agreement about trade with the northern kingdom.
For the first time, the Chronicler compares Judah's practices with those of northern Israel. He shows awareness that the Baal cult from Tyre had been introduced into northern worship (see 1 Kings 16:31–32).
The word translated as "gifts" is often translated as "tribute," like what conquering kings demanded from their subjects (for example, Judges 3:15–18). However, forced tribute is not the intended meaning here. The people of Judah willingly made Jehoshaphat very wealthy. Like Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:16) and Hezekiah (32:25), wealth often leads to pride. However, Jehoshaphat was deeply committed to following the Lord's ways. He did not take pride in his own achievements; instead, his courage led him to remove idol worship from the kingdom. Jehoshaphat established control within his kingdom by practicing righteousness and faithfulness to God.
Jehoshaphat fulfilled the Lord's command to teach the law (Deuteronomy 5:1; 17:18–20). He appointed five royal officers, nine Levites, and two priests to teach the people the book of the covenant. Levites often served as teachers during the Second temple period as well (Nehemiah 8:7).
Some versions leave out Tob-adonijah; this seems to be a scribal error of repetition.
The surrounding kingdoms feared the Lord, so they paid tribute to Jehoshaphat to buy peace. Peace often shows divine favor (see 2 Chronicles 14:2–6).
The Arabs were likely desert tribes living south of Judah, near the Philistines.
Jehoshaphat was known for his international influence, construction projects, and strong army. Archaeologists have found highway forts in the Jordan Valley near the Dead Sea from his era. The reported number of troops in his army—over a million in Jerusalem—seems too high. Since leaders were organized by tribes (2 Chronicles 17:14), "thousand" (’elep) might mean "squad" or "platoon," which are smaller units. The totals might also include reserve divisions that rotated service (see 1 Chronicles 27:1–15). Jehoshaphat's troop numbers are about three times those of:
Abijah (2 Chronicles 13:3)
Asa (2 Chronicles 14:8)
Amaziah (2 Chronicles 25:5)
Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:11–15)
They are similar to the number of warriors during David’s census (1 Chronicles 21:5), when soldiers from the northern tribes were included. A large army showed God's blessing.
Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources