Who was Jehoshaphat in the Bible?

Man living at the time of Divided Monarchy

Jehoshaphat was a king of Judah who reigned during the Divided Monarchy period. He is first mentioned in 2 Kings 9:2, where a prophet anointed Jehu as king over Israel and instructed him to go and anoint Jehoshaphat as king over Judah. Jehoshaphat was the son of Nimshi and the father of Jehu.

Jehoshaphat is known for his faithfulness to the Lord and his efforts to bring about religious reforms in Judah. He walked in the ways of his ancestor David, seeking the Lord with all his heart. He removed the high places and Asherah poles from Judah, and he sent out priests and Levites to teach the people the Law of the Lord (2 Chronicles 17:3-9).

Jehoshaphat also sought the counsel of the Lord before going to war, demonstrating his trust in God’s guidance. When facing enemies, he prayed to the Lord for deliverance and relied on God’s promise to be with those who seek Him (2 Chronicles 20:1-30).

Despite his faithfulness, Jehoshaphat made some alliances that were not in line with God’s will, such as forming a partnership with Ahab, the wicked king of Israel. This alliance led to trouble for Jehoshaphat, but he humbled himself before the Lord and sought His help, and God delivered him (2 Chronicles 18-19).

Overall, Jehoshaphat’s reign was marked by his commitment to following the ways of the Lord and leading the people of Judah in worship and obedience. He serves as an example of a king who sought God’s will in all things and trusted in His faithfulness.

References:
– 2 Kings 9:2
– 2 Chronicles 17:3-9
– 2 Chronicles 20:1-30
– 2 Chronicles 18-19