Jehoshaphat
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of the princes, “went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and
taught the people.”
2 Chronicles 17:7-9
. And as many endeavored
to understand God’s requirements and to put away sin, a revival was
effected.
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To this wise provision for the spiritual needs of his subjects, Je-
hoshaphat owed much of his prosperity as a ruler. In obedience to
God’s law there is great gain. In conformity to the divine requirements
there is a transforming power that brings peace and good will among
men. If the teachings of God’s word were made the controlling in-
fluence in the life of every man and woman, if mind and heart were
brought under its restraining power, the evils that now exist in national
and in social life would find no place. From every home would go
forth an influence that would make men and women strong in spiritual
insight and in moral power, and thus nations and individuals would be
placed on vantage ground.
For many years Jehoshaphat lived in peace, unmolested by sur-
rounding nations. “The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms
of the lands that were round about Judah.”
Verse 10
. From Philistia
he received tribute money and presents; from Arabia, large flocks of
sheep and goats. “Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built
in Judah castles, and cities of stores.... Men of war, mighty men of
valor, ... waited on the king, beside those whom the king put in the
fenced cities throughout all Judah.”
Verses 12-19
. Blessed abundantly
with “riches and honor,” he was enabled to wield a mighty influence
for truth and righteousness.
2 Chronicles 18:1
.
Some years after coming to the throne, Jehoshaphat, now in the
height of his prosperity, consented to the marriage of his son, Jehoram,
to Athaliah, daughter of Ahab and Jezebel. By this union there was
formed between the kingdoms of Judah and Israel an alliance which
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was not in the order of God and which in a time of crisis brought
disaster to the king and to many of his subjects.
On one occasion Jehoshaphat visited the king of Israel at Samaria.
Special honor was shown the royal guest from Jerusalem, and before
the close of his visit he was persuaded to unite with the king of Israel
in war against the Syrians. Ahab hoped that by joining his forces with
those of Judah he might regain Ramoth, one of the old cities of refuge,
which, he contended, rightfully belonged to the Israelites.