King Asa’s son Jehoshaphat succeeded him to the crown and throne of Judah, in 915 BC. He enjoyed a long reign of 25 years, from 915-889 BC. In this chapter, we will observe four particular things about him. First, we see what a wise man he was. As soon as he came to the crown, he strengthened himself against King Ahab of Israel – which he did, without bloodshed, so effectually that Ahab soon afterward courted his friendship. And as it turned out, he proved to be far more dangerous as a friend than he could have been as an enemy.

Second, we see how Jehoshaphat was a righteous and upright man. It is an excellent character that is here given of him! He walked in the “first ways” of his forefather David – that is, as far as David followed God, and no further. Even Paul himself thus limits our imitation of him (1 Cor. 11:1): “Follow me, as I follow Christ” – and not otherwise. Jehoshaphat abhorred idolatry; he worshiped and prayed to the Lord God of his father, and to Him alone. His heart was enlarged in that which was good (Ps. 119:32). He never thought that he could do enough for his God. He was lively and affectionate in his religion, he was fervent in spirit as he served the Lord, and he was cheerful and pleasant in his worship.

Third, we are shown what a useful man Jehoshaphat was. He was not only righteous himself, but he also did good for his generation – a great deal of good! Nothing debauched the nation more than the idolatrous groves or images, but he took them away. And he did more than this, for he also sent teachers of truth throughout his kingdom to instruct his people in the ways of the Lord.

Fourth, we see how happy Jehoshaphat was. He was happy in the favor of his God, who clearly and openly blessed him. The Lord was with him (verse 3), and He established the kingdom in his hand (verse 5). Those who stand firmly shall have the presence of God with them. Jehoshaphat was also happy in the affections of his people (verse 5). The more there is of true religion among a people, the more there will be of conscientious loyalty. A government that fulfills the purpose of true government will be supported!

The latter portion of this chapter gives a further account of Jehoshaphat’s great prosperity, and of the flourishing state of his kingdom. He had a good influence upon the neighboring princes and nations. Although he was not perhaps such a great soldier as David, nor such a great scholar as Solomon; yet the fear of the Lord fell so heavily upon the other nations that they all had a reverence for him, and none of them made war against him (verse 10). In fact, some of them even brought presents to him, endeavoring to secure his friendship.

Jehoshaphat built castles and storehouse-cities for arms and victuals. He was a man of business, and he aimed at the public good in all his undertakings – either to preserve the peace, or to prepare for war. He also put the militia of Judah in good order – in fact, the best order that it had been in since the time that David established it! Five captains were named here, along with the numbers of the men under their command who were fit for war. It is said of one of these great commanders, named Amasiah, that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (verse 16) – not only to the king, to serve him in this post; but also to the Lord, to glorify Him in it. He was the most eminent among these captains for his religion. The number of the soldiers under these five captains amounted to 1,160,000 men – a vast number for only the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin! Just a little over 40 years before, Jehoshaphat’s grandfather Abijah could only bring 400,000 into the battlefield (chapter 13:3); and his father Asa could not even muster 600,000 (chapter 14:8). Yet Jehoshaphat had nearly 1.2 million soldiers at his command! But it must be remembered that God had promised to make the descendants of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number. There had now been a long peace, and we may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged. Many had come over to Judah from the Northern Kingdom of Israel (chapter 15:19), and this would obviously increase the numbers of the people under Jehoshaphat’s rule. Besides, he was under a special blessing of the Lord, which caused his affairs to prosper greatly. The soldiers of Judah were dispersed all over the country; and each man resided, for the most part, on his own estate. But they gathered often to be mustered and trained, so they were ready and on-call whenever they were needed.

But it was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighboring nations! It was not Judah’s army that restrained the heathen from attempting anything against them, or that obliged them to pay tribute. Rather, it was the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry therein! The ordinances of God and His faithful ministers do more to strengthen and protect a nation than its military forces and men-of-war do!

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