These attackers were getting extremely close to Jerusalem. The three nations had gotten as far as Hazazon Tamar (also known as En Gedi, a popular source of fresh water along the very salty Dead Sea). Jehoshaphat had strengthened his cities in the north, but not in the south, so Judah was very vulnerable to anyone attacking from this direction. Now they banded together and marched around the southern end of the Dead Sea, coming up on the western side. Their chief city was near Mount Seir in Edom.Īll three of these nations were located very close together, occupying the territory southeast and east of the Dead Sea. The Moabites and Ammonites were descendants of Lot (Abraham’s nephew) by an incestuous relationship with his daughters (Genesis 32:3). This had been an order from God because these three nations were related to the Israelites. Moses had spared these three heathen nations from destruction when the Israelites entered the Promised Land several centuries before Jehoshaphat. When the Moabites, Ammonites, and Edomites began their attacks on Judah, Jehoshaphat turned to the Lord for help. Jehoshaphat had done everything he could to return his nation to the Lord. These groups would teach the people how to properly worship the Lord. Jehoshaphat sent his princes, priests, and Levites throughout the country with copies of the Mosaic Law. He accepted his responsibility as king to set a good example for his people. This alliance would later cause major problems.īesides military reforms, Jehoshaphat made many religious reforms. This treaty was further sealed by the marriage of Jehoshaphat’s son to Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel. Jehoshaphat went to Samaria and made a treaty with King Ahab stating that they would not attack each other and would help each other if either was attacked by an outside nation. Background Information on the Divided Kingdom.ĭuring the time that Ahab was king of Israel, Jehoshaphat managed to gain peaceful relations with Israel. Jehoshaphat strengthened all the cities located along the border between Judah and Israel. His father had had constant trouble with the northern kingdom of Israel. He adopted strong military and political policies. 19 These are the ones who were in the service of the king, besides those he had placed in fortified cities throughout Judah.Jehoshaphat was the fourth king of Judah after the kingdom had split into two nations. 14 This was the number of them by their fathers’ (ancestors’) households: of Judah, the commanders of thousands, Adnah the commander, and with him 300,000 courageous men 15 and next to him was Jehohanan the commander, and with him 280,000 16 and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, who volunteered for the Lord, and with him 200,000 courageous men 17 and of Benjamin: Eliada, a brave man, and with him 200,000 men armed with bow and shield 18 and next to him was Jehozabad, and with him 180,000 armed and ready for military service. 13 He had large supplies in the cities of Judah, and soldiers, courageous men, in Jerusalem. He built fortresses and storage cities in Judah. 12 So Jehoshaphat became greater and greater. 11 Some of the Philistines brought gifts and silver as tribute to Jehoshaphat the Arabians also brought him flocks: 7,700 rams and 7,700 male goats. 9 They taught in Judah having the Book of the Law of the Lord with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught among the people.ġ0 Now the dread of the Lord was on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat. 6 His heart was encouraged and he took great pride in the ways of the Lord moreover, he again removed the high places and the Asherim from Judah.ħ Then in the third year of his reign he sent his officials, Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah 8 and with them were the Levites-Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah and with them the priests Elishama and Jehoram. 5 Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great wealth and honor. He did not seek the Baals, 4 but sought the God of his father, and walked in (obeyed) His commandments, and did not act as Israel did. His Good Reignģ The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the example of his father (ancestor) David. 2 He placed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which his father Asa had captured. 17 Jehoshaphat his son then became king in Asa’s place, and strengthened his position over Israel.
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