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In our first article on Jehoshaphat, we mentioned some of the good things he did. In II Chronicles 20:32 it says, "And he walked in the way of his father Asa, and did not turn from it, doing what was right in the sight of the Lord." This seems to be an overall assessment of the years he reigned. Jehoshaphat wasn't perfect, he still made mistakes. We want to look at those mistakes and see how we can learn from them.
In II Chronicles 18:1 it says, "By marriage he allied himself with Ahab." This type of alliance certainly wasn't a good idea; and it seems to be referring to the union of Jehoshaphat's son (Jehoram) and Athaliah (Ahab and Jezebel's daughter). Then in II Chronicles 18:2, it says that Jehoshaphat went down to visit Ahab. Ahab kind of throws a little party for his guest, and then takes the opportunity to ask Jehoshaphat (when he is in a good mood) to join him in a military move against Ramoth Gilead.
For some reason, Jehoshaphat was foolish enough to go along with this ungodly king into battle. He was even naive enough to agree with Ahab's plan to preserve his own life at the expense of Jehoshaphat. This was a set up to disguise Ahab and put the heat on Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat was a little too trusting, easygoing and maybe fell for the generosity and flattery of Ahab. He also volunteers his army and puts them in danger.
Jehoshaphat also allied himself with the wicked King Ahaziah, when he became king over Israel. That seems to be another time when Jehoshaphat lacked wisdom and discernment. God condemned him for his actions and then destroyed the ships they had made. II Chronicles 20:37 says, "Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, the Lord has destroyed your works."
How much better it would have been for Jehoshaphat if he could have grasped the principle of II Corinthians 6:14. "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?"
As we consider the mistakes Jehoshaphat made, what was the underlying problem? It seems to me that he was a king who had his heart and mind in the right place. But it also appears that he was much too trusting, easygoing and a little naive. He was someone who could be taken at face value, what you see is what you get. On the other hand, Ahab was someone who tried to manipulate everything for his own good.
Ahab's motives were totally self-centered; he along with his wife, were good examples of what it means to be narcissistic. They set up Naboth and had him killed so they could take control of his vineyard. They expected Jehoshaphat to wear his royal robes while Ahab disguised himself to save his own life. This also shows that Ahab had faith in Micaiah, the prophet of God.
So how does this apply to us today? Most of us need to examine our behavior and inclinations. Are we a little naive? Do we allow others to take advantage of us? Do we join the ungodly in business ventures and friendships? If we have a problem in these areas, we need to admit the truth rather than cover it up and conceal it. Then we can make changes that help us overcome those problems. Asking other godly people for their advice or opinion is always a good idea.
Proverbs 11:14 says, "Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety." If seeking the counsel of godly men and women can keep us from making mistakes, that sounds like a good idea. If God is glorified through our decisions, that is even better.
Comments or questions, contact me at: thoughtsonword@gmail.com
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Lyndon Stimeling, of Richfield, has been writing about faith and family for many years. He has self-published three books, "Common Thoughts on The Word" in 2016 and "Eye of a Needle" in 2017 and "Common Thoughts on The Word II" in 2019. He has also had articles published in The Coming Home Journal and local newspapers and has written a children's book.