Study Desk

So Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away what they wanted from them. They found cattle, many good things, clothing, and things of great worth, which they took for themselves. There was more than they could carry. It took them three days to take all the things, because there was so much.

So the nation of Jehoshaphat was at peace. His God gave him rest on all sides.

So Jehoshaphat ruled over Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he became king. And he ruled in Jerusalem for twenty-five years. His mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.

Jehoshaphat walked in the way of his father Asa, and did not leave it. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.

Jehoshaphat died, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. His son Jehoram became king in his place.

Now when Jehoram had become king in the place of his father, and had made himself strong, he killed all his brothers with the sword. He killed some of the leaders of Israel also.

He walked in the way of the kings of Israel, just as those of Ahab's house did. (For Ahab's daughter was his wife.) He did what was sinful in the eyes of the Lord.

Yet the Lord would not destroy the family of David, because of the agreement He had made with David. He had promised to give a light to him and his sons forever.

Then Jehoram crossed over with his captains and all his war-wagons. He went during the night and destroyed the Edomites who had gathered around him and the captains of the war-wagons.

So Edom has been against the rule of Judah to this day. Libnah turned against Jehoram's rule at the same time, because he had left the Lord God of his fathers.

They came and fought against Judah, and carried away all the things they found in the king's house, together with his sons and his wives. No son was left to him except Jehoahaz, his youngest.

After that time, at the end of two years, his insides came out because of his sickness. And he died in much pain. His people made no fire for him like the fires made for his fathers.

The people of Jerusalem made his youngest son Ahaziah king in his place. For the army of men who came with the Arabs to the tents had killed all the older sons. So Ahaziah, the son of King Jehoram of Judah, began to rule.

He was twenty-two years old when he became king. And he ruled for one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Athaliah, the grand-daughter of Omri.

Ahaziah walked in the ways of those of Ahab's house. For his mother talked him into doing sinful things.

He did what was sinful in the eyes of the Lord, as those of Ahab's house had done. For after his father's death, they talked with him about what to do, and so caused him to be destroyed.

Then he looked for Ahaziah, and he was found hiding in Samaria. He was brought to Jehu, and was put to death. Then they buried him, for they said, "He is the son of Jehoshaphat, who followed the Lord with all his heart." So there was no one left of Ahaziah's house who was able to rule the nation.

But Jehoshabeath, the king's daughter, took Ahaziah's son Joash. She stole him from among the king's sons who were being killed. And she put him and his nurse in the bedroom. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of King Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the religious leader, and sister of Ahaziah, hid Joash from Athaliah, so she could not kill him.

The Levites will stand around the king. Each one will have his spear in his hand. And whoever goes into the house will be killed. Be with the king when he comes in and when he goes out."

The Levites and all Judah did all that Jehoiada the religious leader told them. Each one of them took his men who were to come in on the Day of Rest, with those who were to go out on the Day of Rest. For Jehoiada the religious leader did not send away any of the groups.