Study Desk

There was no more war until the thirty-fifth year of his reign.

"Let us be allies, as our fathers were. This silver and gold is a present for you. Now break your alliance with King Baasha of Israel so that he will have to pull his troops out of my territory."

Benhadad agreed to Asa's proposal and sent his commanding officers and their armies to attack the cities of Israel. They captured Ijon, Dan, Abel Beth Maacah, and all the cities of Naphtali where supplies were stored.

and was buried in the rock tomb which he had carved out for himself in David's City. They used spices and perfumed oils to prepare his body for burial, and they built a huge bonfire to mourn his death.

Jehoshaphat succeeded his father Asa as king and strengthened his position against Israel.

The Lord blessed Jehoshaphat because he followed the example of his father's early life and did not worship Baal.

He served his father's God, obeyed God's commands, and did not act the way the kings of Israel did.

In the third year of his reign he sent out the following officials to teach in the cities of Judah: Benhail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah.

His second in command was Jehozabad with 180,000 men, well-equipped for battle.

When King Jehoshaphat of Judah became rich and famous, he arranged a marriage between a member of his family and the family of King Ahab of Israel.

Micaiah went on: "Now listen to what the Lord says! I saw the Lord sitting on his throne in heaven, with all his angels standing beside him.

Then the prophet Zedekiah went up to Micaiah, slapped his face, and asked, "Since when did the Lord 's spirit leave me and speak to you?"

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

The king of Syria had ordered his chariot commanders to attack no one else except the king of Israel.

By chance, however, a Syrian soldier shot an arrow which struck King Ahab between the joints of his armor. "I'm wounded!" he cried out to his chariot driver. "Turn around and pull out of the battle!"

While the battle raged on, King Ahab remained propped up in his chariot, facing the Syrians. At sunset he died.

King Jehoshaphat of Judah returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem.

The spirit of the Lord came upon a Levite who was present in the crowd. His name was Jahaziel son of Zechariah; he was a member of the clan of Asaph and was descended from Asaph through Mattaniah, Jeiel, and Benaiah.

Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low, with his face touching the ground, and all the people bowed with him and worshiped the Lord .

Early the next morning the people went out to the wild country near Tekoa. As they were starting out, Jehoshaphat addressed them with these words: "People of Judah and Jerusalem! Put your trust in the Lord your God, and you will stand your ground. Believe what his prophets tell you, and you will succeed."