When reading about the different kings in the Bible, we may think that these sections only provide historical information. The Books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles all provide true historical accounts of the kings of Israel and, after the split, the kingdoms of Judah and Israel. However, these accounts also provide relevant lessons about faith and following the Lord.
We can read and learn from the lives of those mentioned in the Bible. As Paul told the Roman Christians in his letter, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope” (Romans 15:4).
One example of a king we can learn from is Jehoshaphat, who is commonly known for his faith. When we look closer, though, the narrative accounts of his life present us with other lessons based on both his spiritual strengths and weaknesses.
When Problems Arise, Turn to God and Trust Him
During Jehoshaphat’s rule, the Moabites, Ammonites, and men from Mount Seir declared war against him and the Kingdom of Judah (2 Chronicles 20:1). Previously, during their wilderness wandering, God told the Israelites not to attack these nations (Deuteronomy 2:9, 19).
The Moabites and Ammonites came from the line of Lot, the nephew of Abraham, thus having close ancestry to the Israelites. However, in defiance, these nations intended to battle Jehoshaphat and take over the land (2 Chronicles 20:10-11).
When he heard the news that a large army was coming against him, the Bible says that “Jehoshaphat was afraid, and he resolved to seek the LORD. Then he proclaimed a fast for all Judah” (2 Chronicles 20:3, CSB).
Although he was afraid, Jehoshaphat demonstrated strong faith in the face of fear. Instead of allowing the news to overwhelm him, he sought the guidance of the Lord.
Scripture records the king’s prayer as he cried out to the Lord for help (2 Chronicles 20:6-12). Like other kings in the world, Jehoshaphat could have trusted in his strength or sought the help of other nations, but he knew that only God could rescue them.
Acknowledging his inability to defeat the invading forces, he looked to the Lord to preserve the people and kingdom (2 Chronicles 20:12).
God did save them from the forces of the Moabites and Ammonites. When they went out to the battlefield, singing praises to God, they found the armies of the opposing forces defeated (2 Chronicles 20:21-24). Truly, the battle did not belong to them but to God (2 Chronicles 20:15).
From this account in Scripture, Christians can learn about the need to have faith in God during times of trouble.
Too often, when we encounter problems and hardships, we turn to other solutions instead of first going to God in prayer. In contrast to the saying, “when all else fails, pray,” our first thought should be to turn to the Lord in prayer and trust in Him.
Do Not Side with Those Who Oppose the Lord
Although Jehoshaphat was a man of faith who followed the Lord, he did have weaknesses and failures. Multiple times in his life, he aligned himself with the kings of Israel, who did not love or follow God. He made an alliance with the wicked king Ahab. As 2 Chronicles 18:1 says, “he allied himself with Ahab by marriage.”
Furthermore, he willingly helped Ahab attack Ramoth Gilead (2 Chronicles 18:2-3). Jehoshaphat acted foolishly in working with a man who actively opposed God. As Jehu the seer told Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, the wrath of the Lord is on you” (2 Chronicles 19:2).
Regardless of this rebuke, Jehoshaphat made the same mistake by allying himself with Ahab’s son, king Ahaziah (2 Chronicles 20:35-36). Like Ahab, Ahaziah was a wicked king and did not follow the Lord (2 Chronicles 20:35).
Just as God did before, He rebuked Jehoshaphat through the words of a prophet (2 Chronicles 20:37). The Lord also wrecked the ships that Jehoshaphat and Ahaziah intended to send out (1 Kings 22:48; 2 Chronicles 20:37). In response to God’s message, Jehoshaphat refused to cooperate with Ahaziah any longer (1 Kings 22:49).
He was right to listen to the Lord’s rebuke, but he failed to learn that followers of God should not side with those who oppose and hate the Lord. The author of 1 Kings mentions Jehoshaphat’s peacemaking with the king of Israel as a failure (1 Kings 22:44).
As the Apostle Paul later explained in the New Testament Book of 2 Corinthians: “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14).
While we need to build friendships with unbelievers, tell them the good news of Jesus, and pray for their salvation, we should not assist them in wrongdoing or approve of their sin.
Furthermore, we need to guard ourselves against relationships that damage our spiritual walk. Just as a follower of the true God should not support or side with a worshiper of Baal, we do not need to align ourselves with those who oppose Christ.
Diligently Follow God to the End
When Jehoshaphat first became king, he followed in the footsteps of David and sought the Lord. He removed the detestable Asherah poles and high places of worship from the land of Judah (2 Chronicles 17:6b).
Furthermore, 1 Kings tells us that he removed the male cult prostitutes from the land (1 Kings 22:46). These things were used as part of idol worship and had no place among the Israelites.
To help instruct the people, Jehoshaphat sent his officials, along with Levites, into the towns to teach the people the book of the Law (2 Chronicles 17:7-9).
In following God, he wanted others to know the commands and serve the Lord wholeheartedly. This was a natural extension of his love for God since he delighted in the ways of the Lord (2 Chronicles 17:6a).
While Jehoshaphat started strong in faith and zeal for the honor of God, he did not remain diligent about His walk with the Lord. By the end of his reign, the high places of worship had returned, and he had not tried to remove them again (1 Kings 22:43).
The author of 2 Chronicles details this as well when he wrote that Jehoshaphat “failed to remove all the pagan shrines, and the people never fully committed themselves to follow the God of their ancestors” (2 Chronicles 20:33, NLT).
Jehoshaphat was not the only king who struggled with ending well. For example, Solomon, with all his God-given wisdom, fell into idolatry when he was misled by his many wives.
He made a mistake by following the worldly practice of polygamy and having unbelieving women as his wives and concubines (1 Kings 11:1-3).
He should have followed God’s command about marriage, which involves only one man and one woman as husband and wife (Genesis 2:24; Mark 10:7-8).
Led astray by these women, Solomon followed false gods at the end of his life (1 Kings 11:4-6). Although Solomon started strong in worshiping God and building a temple for the Lord, he ended the “race” of life poorly.
The risk of ending poorly is not limited to people in high positions like Jehoshaphat or Solomon. If we are not diligent and careful about following God, we also can end life poorly.
The Apostle Paul worried about this as well, anxious that he might lose a reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ (1 Corinthians 9:27). To finish the race of life well, Paul talked about the need for discipline (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).
Christians today also need to persevere in following the Lord. We need to throw off any sin that hinders us and diligently watch for any practices, habits, or attitudes in our lives that are harmful to our relationship with Christ (Hebrews 12:1-3).
Instead of being negligent in our walk with the Lord, as Jehoshaphat did, we need to nourish our spiritual life and closely follow God.
Why Does This Matter?
All of God’s Word, including the historical narrative sections, is useful for helping us learn and grow in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).
While people may commonly overlook aspects of the lives of the kings of Judah and Israel, we can learn lessons from their faith as well as their failures. Jehoshaphat was a man who followed God and trusted Him in times of trouble.
However, due to a lack of diligence and unwise choices, Jehoshaphat ended the “race” of life poorly. Christians today can learn and apply significant truths to their lives by studying Jehoshaphat’s life and the choices he made.
For further reading:
Who Is King Ahab in the Bible?
How Can We Completely Trust in God?
Why Did Paul Say, 'Follow Me as I Follow Christ'?
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/choness
