Study Desk

The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because in his young life he did the good things his ancestor David did. Jehoshaphat did not follow the Baal idols.

He looked for the God his ancestors followed. He followed God's commands and did not live the same way the Israelites lived.

His heart found pleasure in the ways of the Lord . He removed the high places and the Asherah poles from the country of Judah.

During the third year of Jehoshaphat's rule, he sent his leaders to teach in the towns of Judah. These leaders were Ben Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah.

King Ahab answered, "Yes, there is another prophet. His name is Micaiah son of Imlah. But I hate him. He never says anything good about me when he speaks for the Lord . He always says things that I don't like." Jehoshaphat said, "The king shouldn't say things like that!"

So King Ahab told one of his officers to go and find Micaiah.

Micaiah said, "Hear the message from the Lord : I saw the Lord sitting on his throne. All of heaven's army was standing around him, some on his left side and some on his right side.

Then King Ahab ordered one of his officers to arrest Micaiah. Ahab said, "Arrest him and take him to Amon the governor of the city and prince Joash.

Then a soldier pulled back on his bow and shot an arrow into the air. By chance it hit the king of Israel between two pieces of his armor. King Ahab said to his chariot driver, "I've been hit! Turn the chariot around and take me off the battlefield!"

The armies continued fighting all that day. King Ahab leaned against the side of his chariot to hold himself up, facing the Arameans. He watched until evening. Then, just as the sun was setting, he died.

King Jehoshaphat of Judah came back safely to his house in Jerusalem.

Fortunately, you did some good things in your life. You did remove the Asherah poles from this country, and you did decide to ask God for his advice."

You must fear the Lord . Protect justice and do what is right because the Lord our God is fair. He does not treat some people as if they are more important than others, and he does not accept bribes to change his judgments."

His descendants lived in this land, and built a Temple for your name.

Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground. And all the people of Judah and Jerusalem bowed down before the Lord and worshiped him.

Early the next morning, Jehoshaphat's army went out into the desert of Tekoa. As they marched out, Jehoshaphat stood there saying, "Listen to me, men of Judah and Jerusalem. Have faith in the Lord your God, and you will stand strong! Have faith in his prophets, and you will succeed!"

Jehoshaphat encouraged the men and gave them instructions. Then he had the Temple singers stand up in their special clothes to praise the Lord . They marched in front of the army and sang, "Give thanks to the Lord ! His faithful love will last forever."

Jehoshaphat and his army came to take things from the bodies. They found many animals, riches, clothes, and other valuable things. It was more than Jehoshaphat and his men could carry away. There was so much that they spent three days taking everything from the dead bodies.

On the fourth day Jehoshaphat and his army met in the Valley of Beracah. They praised the Lord . That is why people still call that place, "The Valley of Beracah."

That is why there was peace for Jehoshaphat's kingdom—his God brought him rest from the enemies that were all around him.