36 And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships in Eziongeber.
36 He joined him in building ships to go to Tarshish, and they built the ships in Ezion-geber.
36 He went in as partner with him to build ocean-going ships at Ezion Geber to trade with Tarshish.
36 And he allied himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish, and they made the ships in Ezion Geber.
36 Together they built a fleet of trading ships at the port of Ezion-geber.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 20:36
Commentary on 2 Chronicles 20:31-37
(Read 2 Chronicles 20:31-37)
Jehoshaphat kept close to the worship of God, and did what he could to keep his people close to it. But after God had done such great things for him, given him not only victory, but wealth; after this, to go and join himself with a wicked king, was very ungrateful. What could he expect but that God would be angry with him? Yet it seems, he took the warning; for when Ahaziah afterward pressed him to join him, he would not, 1 Kings 22:49. Thus the alliance was broken, and the Divine rebuke had its effect, at least for a season. Let us be thankful for any losses which may have prevented the loss of our immortal souls. Let us praise the Lord, who sought after us, and left us not to perish in our sins.