Jehoshaphat: The Battle is the Lord’s

2 Chronicles 17-20 

The Ten Signposts of the Bible
CAMDE—400—CALY
Creation. Abraham. Moses. DAVID. Elijah. 400. Christ. Apostles. Letters. Yet-to-Come.

In the 9^th century BC, the world was a busy place. The Bronze Age had given way to the Iron Age, with iron becoming the primary material for war and agriculture. In China, the Zhou Dynasty was in power. Egypt was caught in civil war. The Phoenicians were flourishing in Lebanon. In northern Iraq, the Assyrians were beginning to build a great empire. And through it all, the sovereign God was at work.

 In Judah, a new king was on the throne. Jehoshaphat succeeded his father, Asa. Jehoshaphat was a man who wholeheartedly followed God. Scripture says, “The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David” (2 Chron. 17:3). 

Jehoshaphat’s Reform
After God’s people turned away from him, altars to Baal and Asherim—Baal’s female counterpart—were built throughout the land. In response, Jehoshaphat courageously worked to destroy these places of pagan worship. But he understood that tearing down altars alone would not bring the people’s hearts back to God. So he sent officials, Levites, and priests throughout Judah to teach the Word of God (2 Chron. 17:9). He also appointed judges, charging them: “You judge not for man but for the LORD. He is with you in giving judgment. Now then, let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the LORD our God, or partiality or taking bribes” (2 Chron. 19:6–7).  

Jehoshaphat was a man deeply committed to God’s Word. He knew that spiritual reform depended on it. He strengthened Judah’s military by building fortresses and storage cities throughout the land for armaments and stationed leaders and soldiers across the country. During this time, God caused the surrounding nations to respect Jehoshaphat and granted Judah peace (2 Chron. 17:10). 

Then for reasons not fully explained, this godly leader formed an alliance with a wicked king. 

Alliance with Ahab
While Jehoshaphat ruled in Judah, King Ahab reigned in Israel. Neither Ahab nor his wife, Jezebel, had any desire to follow God. Scripture says, “There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the LORD like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited” (1 Kgs. 21:25). 

Jehoshaphat was greatly blessed with wealth and power (2 Chron. 18:1), but he made the serious mistake of allying himself with the wicked king Ahab. The alliance was formed when his son Jehoram married Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, and later he agreed to join Ahab in a battle to capture Ramoth-gilead. 

Ramoth-gilead, located along the major trade route known as the King’s Highway, was a strategic city that Ahab wanted to reclaim from the Syrians. Seeking Jehoshaphat’s help, he assembled four hundred false prophets, who told him exactly what he wanted to hear—assurance of victory. Jehoshaphat, however, asked for a “prophet of the Lord,” so Ahab summoned Micaiah, who boldly spoke the truth, warning that Ahab would die in battle. 

Jehoshaphat entered the battlefield wearing his royal robes, while Ahab disguised himself. This was likely Ahab’s ploy to make the Syrians target Jehoshaphat. The Syrian soldiers did pursue Judah’s king, but God protected him (2 Chron. 18:31). Then, during the fighting, “a certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel between the scale armor and the breastplate” (2 Chron. 18:33). Though Ahab tried to blend in among the soldiers, he could not hide from God. The sovereign God guided the “random” shot that killed him. 

Alliance with Ahaziah
Jehoshaphat was a faithful king, but he repeated poor choices. Late in his reign, he entered into a shipbuilding partnership with Israel’s evil king, Ahaziah. God did not bless the effort, and the ships were wrecked before they could set sail (2 Chron. 20:35-37). 

In both of his alliances with ungodly kings, God protected Jehoshaphat. This is a powerful reminder that believers should not become partners with unbelievers (2 Cor. 6:14-16). 

Jehoshaphat’s Greatest Test
One day, Jehoshaphat awoke to the news that the Ammonites and Moabites were only miles from Jerusalem, coming to attack the city. Afraid, he “set his face to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah” (2 Chron. 20:3). He poured out his heart to God, pleading for help: “For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (2 Chron. 20:12). God spoke through the prophet Jahaziel: “Thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s’” (2 Chron. 20:15). 

God miraculously turned the Ammonites and Moabites against one other. When Judah’s army arrived at the battlefield, they saw only the bodies of their enemies lying dead (2 Chron. 20:24), so all they had to do was gather the plunder. Because of this remarkable victory, “the fear of God came on all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard that the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel. So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around” (2 Chron. 20:29-30). 

King Jehoshaphat led Judah for twenty-five years with a heart that was largely devoted to God. He taught God’s Word to the people of Judah and promoted spiritual reform. He wasn’t perfect, as seen in his alliances with wicked leaders, still God protected him from his enemies and, at times, even from himself. 

A key takeaway from Jehoshaphat’s story is this: “the battle is not yours but God’s.” What a comforting and powerful truth to remember and be thankful for!

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Read and reflect on 2 Chronicles 17-20. What role does God’s Word currently play in shaping your daily decisions and spiritual growth?

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