Jehoshaphat – Part 2 – The Evil Alliance –

Jehoshaphat

Part 2

The Evil Alliance

Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab. (2 Chronicles 18:1)

And Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel. (1 Kings 22:44)

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1 John 2:15) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (1 John 2:16) And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (1 John 2:17)

The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. (Proverbs 16:4)

I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him. (Ecclesiastes 3:14)

Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged. (2 Corinthians 6:13) Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14) And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? (2 Corinthians 6:15) And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (2 Corinthians 6:16) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (2 Corinthians 6:17) And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (2 Corinthians 6:18)

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. (Ephesians 5:11)

Affinity: a relationship by marriage or by other ties than those of blood; the attraction of two holding them together.

   Jehoshaphat had big trouble his son, Jehoram, had seen the Zidonian princess, Athaliah, the daughter of Jezebel. Jehoram was heir to the throne of Judah, and was not to marry outside of his tribe, Judah, because this was the inheritance that belonged to Judah. If he had followed Numbers 36, he would have seen the principle in the daughters of Zelophehad, and even then, the inheritance of Athaliah would have gone to Judah, and Athaliah would have no inheritance or right to the throne. Jehoshaphat should have enforced this principle so that Ahab, Jezebel, and Athaliah would have backed out of this ungodly wedding, it was not love at first sight with Athaliah, it was a contrived conspiracy of dad, mom and daughter to take the Kingdom of Judah and set their daughter on the throne of Judah. (Read the history of Ahab and his family and you will see that they were diabolical conspirators. CLICK HERE to learn of Jezebel in idolatry. CLICK HERE to read of Jezebel in the church age.)  Prior to this conspiracy with Jehoshaphat, Jezebel conspired with Ahab against Naboth to steal his vineyard and give it to Ahab. Naboth would not sell his inheritance; therefore, Jezebel wrote a letter to the elders of Jezreel and conspired with them to falsely condemn righteous Naboth. She used the signet of Ahab’s ring and sealed the letter with the authority of king Ahab. Ahab would never have allowed this signet ring to be removed and used without his consent. The result, Naboth was taken outside of Jezreel by the leaders of his community and stoned. Jehoshaphat should have been concerned about his own inheritance and the inheritance of Judah and his son, Jehoram. How could light marry darkness? Could two walk together except they be agreed? What agreement does righteousness have with mammon? Could Jehoram love the Lord and embrace the evils of Baal? For Jehoram this was not difficult; for he did not love the Lord. Scripture witnesses of his evil heart in 2 Chronicles 21:5, 6. Jehoram was thirty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. (2 Chronicles 2:15) And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD. (2 Chronicles 2:16)

   Back to the affinity . . . could the king of Judah, Jehoshaphat, say no to this disgraceful and evil bond in marriage? Yes, he could; he could also have told Jehoram that if he persisted in this evil relationship then Jehoram would not be king, and his father would raise up one of his brethren to sit upon the throne of Judah. Jehoshaphat was both short sighted as a man and as a monarch; and had a very short memory for his father, Asa, had wars with Israel. Jehoshaphat’s grandfather, Abijah, had also felt the wrath of Israel as well; and Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, had experienced the hatred of Jeroboam (though most of the hatred was deserved). The conflict was still there in the days of Jehoshaphat. The scars from the division of the kingdom cut deep. Jeroboam had rebelled with ten tribes against Rehoboam and his two tribes of Judah and Benjamin. There was, therefore, a continuous conflict between Israel and Judah. It is quite evident from our text that Jehoram, this self-willed son, would not be denied; for he must have this Zidonian princess, Athaliah. It is unimaginable the reasoning between Jehoram and Jehoshaphat, how they could ever come to an agreement of this unholy alignment of these two kingdoms. Even if it had been considered by them as a marriage of convenience it was in reality a marriage of conflict for generations to come.

The Scenes Behind the Affinity

   The evil affinity became the evil alliance and would eventually give the house of Judah over into the wicked hands of Athaliah, the evil priestess of Baal, like her mother Jezebel. I am sure that this evil alliance with the house of Ahab thrilled the three conspirators, Ahab, Jezebel and Athaliah. The entire house of Baal was thrilled about this unholy alliance. Notice in this entire alliance, Ahab’s house and Baal’s house did not give an inch or compromise their beliefs. All the compromising was on Jehoshaphat’s part, and he spoke for all of the citizens of Judah and the holy city of Jerusalem. This entire plan or conspiracy came from the seat of all wickedness which is the seat of Satan. They would usurp their power and Satan’s power over the southern kingdom of Judah trying to overthrow the prophecy that David would have a son and heir to sit upon the throne of Judah continually. Jehoshaphat should have known that this act and his compromising nature would bring disaster into his own kingdom. He was the king, the sovereign, it was his responsibility to block Baalism from his kingdom. He began his reign by not walking in the ways of Baalim, but he walked in the first ways of David, his father. Now, therefore, when he was rich, and increased with goods and had need of nothing — we are going to have a wedding — and this wedding would be from hell. Nothing good could come out of this union, for this evil would drain all goodness out of the southern kingdom, and only through the divine act of God would Judah be saved from the evils of Baal. It was Jehoshaphat’s responsibility, not his son’s, to protect Judah from the evils of the northern kingdom. Knowing the evil heart of man, and the evil hearts of Ahab and Jezebel, the wedding most likely took place in the northern kingdom; and knowing their wickedness it must have taken place in the house of Baal. It hasn’t changed today! Ungodly relationships and marriages are always dominated by the house of Baal, and the evil that is in our world today. The sons of God (the children of God) should not bow to the daughters of men, or Baal. God has established this in the New Testament. In 2 Corinthians, Chapter 6, Paul gives us in the words of the Spirit of God that whether in business or in marriage, or any other union, it should not be with darkness, or the house of Baal; however, the professing church that claims to be of Christ has no problem turning over their children to the house of Baal in marriage, and other affinities.

Ahab — Role Model for Evil

   Ahab was a very willful king, he did not let too much stand in his way; in fact, when God sent His prophet, Elijah, to rebuke Ahab, Ahab blamed Elijah for troubling Israel. This king was so obstinate and so wicked he would not take any blame, or any correction, or responsibility for any of his actions. He stood with his hands in the air blameless in his own eyes, like so many politicians today. The Holy Spirit, however, would not and will not let Ahab get away with his evil actions. Read 1 Kings 21:25, 1 Kings 16:30-33.

But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up. (1 Kings 21:25)

And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him. (1 Kings 16:30) And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him. (1 Kings 16:31) And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. (1 Kings 16:32) And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him. (1 Kings 16:33)

   The Holy Spirit of God wants us to understand the complete evil nature of Ahab. He was definitely a true child of Cain and had the same murderous heart. His plan of deception was to usurp the southern kingdom of Judah away from Jehoshaphat — Ahab’s plan was right on track. Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab. (2 Chronicles 18:1) And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that he had with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramothgilead. (2 Chronicles 18:2)

After Certain Years

   We have already mentioned that Jehoshaphat was rich and increased with goods. A period of time went by from the wedding to Jehoshaphat’s visit to Ahab in the northern kingdom. Verse 2 of 2 Chronicles 18 is a well of information concerning the alliance with Ahab. It begins with after certain years, these were the years that his son, Jehoram, grew in his discipleship to Baal. Ahab had Jezebel’s ear, Jezebel had Athaliah’s ear, and Athaliah had Jehoram’s ear, and Jehoram had Jehoshaphat’s ear; and Baal was all ears! The discipleship of Jehoram brought about the trip of Jehoshaphat to the northern kingdom. I’m sure that after certain years Jehoshaphat had become numb to the arguments of how the worship of Baal was not that bad, after all, did they not volunteer their time for the benefit of the greater good for the children? Don’t we have the same arguments today concerning the evil religions of this world; the blood thirsty and life taking wickedness of the East. We are being told and fed information through the national platform of all nations that these are just a few radicals, when the whole religion calls for the death of all non-believers of this most wicked cult. Jehoshaphat was made to believe, as the Americans and the Europeans are made to believe today, that these are a peaceful people (many are only peaceful at this stage of time because they are currently in the minority). Tell those who have lost their heads by the blade of a sword that the one who swung that sword was lead and inspired by words of peace.

Going Down to Join with the Adversary

   So, after certain years Jehoshaphat went ‘down’ to Ahab. Notice, the Holy Spirit puts Jehoshaphat in his proper place under the hand of the usurper — he went ‘down’ to Ahab. Geographically Judah was south of Israel, how appropriate that the Holy Spirit of God precisely used the word ‘down,’ not the familiar direction of ‘up’ when traveling north. When Jehoshaphat entered into the gates of Samaria all was prepared by the deceiver Ahab. There was a feast and Ahab used this setting to remove any suspicion from Jehoshaphat. It is recorded that Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance. These were not sacrifices to Jehovah, this was a celebration feast for not only Jehoshaphat, but also for those who came with him. You could say, ‘This was Ahab’s victory celebration,’ for now he had power over Jehoshaphat. Just by Jehoshaphat showing up for this meeting was a victory for evil. The last part of verse 2 and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramothgilead, this was all part of his celebration to woe the king of Judah into his grasp, and it worked perfectly. After studying the life of Ahab and Jehoshaphat for many years, one can see the diabolical scheme in its fullness. For as it slowly worked on Jehoshaphat, it has worked on the professing church through the last two thousand years. The church has fallen into the same grip and trap of evil in meeting with Ahab, Jezebel, Athaliah and Baal on the ground of a false sense of unification and appeasement. The church, today, repeats the same reply as Jehoshaphat gave to Ahab. He answered Ahab, ‘I am as thou art, and my people as thy people.’ The church wants to be just like the world, how can it be a witness of holiness and righteousness when the church approves and accepts unholy and unrighteous acts.

And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Wilt thou go with me to Ramothgilead? And he answered him, I am as thou art, and my people as thy people; and we will be with thee in the war. (2 Chronicles 8:3)

And he said unto Jehoshaphat, Wilt thou go with me to battle to Ramothgilead? And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, I am as thou art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses. (1 Kings 22:4)

   Can you imagine Jehoshaphat declaring such a thing? There are three declarations in his answer to Ahab: he first stated that he is the same as Ahab (that includes the wickedness of Baal); secondly, being king of Judah, with his right of sovereignty, he includes his people as being equal with those who wished them dead; and finally, he includes his horses (which represents his military force of over a million men). Sounds to me like a treaty of surrender — all the things that Judah stood for are being disannulled in Jehoshaphat’s statement. Remember, Solomon’s temple still stood in Jerusalem. The Word of God was still read in the cities of Judah. What possessed Jehoshaphat to surrender himself to the will of ungodly Ahab. A side note: before they went to Ramothgilead, Ahab deliberately disguised himself, but told Jehoshaphat to put on his kingly robes. Jehoshaphat obeys again, and it almost cost him his life. But this was the plan of Ahab to rid himself of Jehoshaphat, and usurp Jehoshaphat’s kingdom under Jehoshaphat’s ungodly son, Jehoram and his lovely bride, Athaliah. Remember, in this conspiracy it all started with a look, and what Jehoram saw was presented to him — it was not by accident that he stumbled across the path of Athaliah. In the profession of Jehoshaphat to Ahab all they needed was a document and a pen and it would have been a confirmed covenant between the two kings. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (John 8:44) Ahab and his evil clan had discipled Jehoram, and in turn Jehoram had subtly discipled Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat should have been aware of this evil and protested against going to war with Ahab at Ramothgilead. The Lord had given Jehoshaphat peace from the nations around him. The Lord had put fear into their hearts. Ramothgilead was not Jehoshaphat’s concern. The Syrians were in control of Ramothgilead, they used this place as a base to invade Israel and Samaria. They were no threat to the kingdom of Judah. Ahab, most likely, wanted to take advantage of Jehoshaphat with his large army. If Ahab could use Jehoshaphat’s army combined with his own forces, then he would be able to defeat the Syrians and reclaim that part of his kingdom, and most likely also add to his kingdom through the blood of the army of Judah, and thereby also weaken Judah.

The Seed and Root of all Evil

   He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8) The New Testament, in John’s epistle, confirms the character of those who follow after the devil; whether it be in the Old Testament or the New Testament these men of evil are of their father, the devil. I find it wonderful that the Spirit of God works in the Old Testament with examples, such as Ahab, and then drops the hammer in the New Testament to show us the seed and root of these men; and that is their father, the devil. For there are many Ahab’s in the world as John tells us there are many antichrists. I find it interesting that Jehoram took on the same character as Ahab. Jehoshaphat lost a son and Ahab gained a son.  Jehoram joined the religious system of Cain that had murdered God’s prophets and God’s children, and righteous Naboth. When Jehoram came to the throne of Judah, he killed all his brethren (truly a child of Cain). Cain has always been a usurper; he usurped his own power over Abel by killing him. Cain has always taken away the rights of the righteous and the property of the righteous. In the Old Testament, we have many examples of the children of Baal; these are the children of Cain taking the inheritance away from the children of God.

    If they, in their diabolical scheme, could rid the world of the sons of God, they would. How have they attacked us? They have always tried to take away the Word of God, they have always tried to take away our eternal priesthood, they have always tried to take away our inheritance in Jesus Christ, they have always tried to take away our eternal salvation; all these and more are in their diabolical schemes, and they will use the same treachery as Ahab used with Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat had a responsibility to his own heart, and to his own soul, and to his relationship with the Almighty God. Was he lifted up in pride? The answer is in verse 1 of 2 Chronicles, Chapter 18. Jehoshaphat had riches, and honor, and fame in abundance. Let’s consider the Church in our day.

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: (Revelation 3:17) 

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. (2 Peter 2:1) And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. (2 Peter 2:2) And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. (2 Peter 2:3)

Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; (1 Peter 4:1) That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. (1 Peter 4:2) For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: (1 Peter 4:3) Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: (1 Peter 4:4)

Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. (1 Peter 4:5)

For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. (1 Timothy 6:7) And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.(1 Timothy 6:8) But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. (1 Timothy 6:9) For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.(1 Timothy 6:10) But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. (1 Timothy 6:11) Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6:12)

   Would be to God that the Holy Spirit would have whispered these words in the ears of Jehoshaphat. Through my reading and studying the Old Testament I have found many comparisons with the New Testament. If you think that I spend too much time in the Old Testament, I will remind you that not only the Lord, but His prophets and disciples, and His apostles quoted and used the Old Testament as a diving board to enter the seas of the New Testament. The last prophetic book is, of course, the Book of the Revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ. How many times do we travel back through time in the Book of Revelation. The Book of the Revelation is a book of the past, present and future. The introduction to the Book of the Revelation is the small epistle of Jude. Jude used the Old Testament both in figure and verse extensively. Students must learn how to crawl before they can walk. They must learn how to walk before they can run. Jude tells us that the faith once delivered to the saints, and the word ‘delivered’ is the prominent thought; that God has delivered the faith once given to the saints. He delivers to each and every one of us who believes His faith and grace, but Jude doesn’t end here, he tells us to build our most holy faith. We should labor in learning the Word of God and the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. Praying in our most holy faith. If Jehoshaphat had stayed on course, he would have avoided all the things that befell him. Did God still watch over him? Yes — we see that in Jehoshaphat’s deliverance later in his life on his victory over the children of Amon and Moab.

Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you. (2 Chronicles 20:17) And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD. (2 Chronicles 20:18)

   Of course, we will deal with this battle or absence of battle later in our study, but I would like you to realize that Jehoshaphat was in the wrong when he went to battle with Ahab. Later in Scripture, we see the Lord with Jehoshaphat and no alliance with the world, and Jehoshaphat gloriously victoriously wins the battle by standing still with the Lord. Hollywood couldn’t write these things, only the Holy Spirit of God can show us the Omnipotent power that He wields in the kingdoms of men. All governments, and I say ALL, are in the hands of the Almighty God. He can raise them up, and He can cast them down at any moment of time. The greatest nations in the world have crumbled in days, and even in hours. When the sun has set on a kingdom, and when it rises the next day, it rises on an entirely new and different kingdom. In the wisdom of man, man fights against God, man wants to overthrow God, man wants to eliminate all and any thoughts of God; however, in his lust to have power over God, man destroys kingdom after kingdom merely trying to have power over the world and over the people of the world — man cannot even accomplish that! It is quite evident when you see a man like Ahab; truly, if given a chance Ahab would have put the whole world into his grasp; however, God made sure he didn’t have that opportunity.

O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD

   In Jehoshaphat’s early years he should have obeyed the Word of God and written a copy of the books of Moses, after all God declared in Deuteronomy that when Israel had a king sitting upon the throne that this king should make a copy of the law or books of Moses.

And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: (Deuteronomy 17:18) And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them: (Deuteronomy 17:19) That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel. (Deuteronomy 17:20)

   Remember that Jehoshaphat had sent out princes, Levites, and priests to teach the Word of God throughout all of Judah to instruct the people in all the words of God; yet he neglected his own soul. There is no mention of a copy of the law of God that Jehoshaphat had copied out; he was to write it in his own hand. That’s why in the New Testament and in the Old so much is given to the reading and the studying and memorizing the Word of God for oneself. In the unregenerate man, without the Word of God, the heart is in a void place. The soul is in a void place, for there is no instruction from the real God of heaven and earth, the Lord Jesus Christ. Both Jehoshaphat and Ahab found themselves in that void place. There was no copy of the Word of God. There was no mention of the will of God. A good example for us today is the absence of the Word of God among the peoples of this world. When you remove the Word of God from any society, the society becomes prone to evil. We could list all the practices of evil, but just realizing that the heart of man is desperately wicked and is evil above all things —is enough. In Genesis, when the Word of God was no longer passed down from generation to generation the evil heart of man could only think evil continually; so, we have the days of Noah. When the Lord Jesus referred to the days of Noah, He said that in the end when man has had his fill of evil it would be as in the days of Noah, we are there! For man is imagining and participating in every form of evil continually. Day and night, all day long man thinks of evil and desires it in some form twenty-four hours a day. When a child asks his father, Are we there yet? The father can reply, ‘No,’ or ‘Yes.’ The world needs to know that we have arrived — we are there! These are the days that the Lord Jesus predicted, and they are only going to get worse. When Noah was loading the ark with the animals, did you see any converts? Did you see any God-fearing people being taken into the ark besides Noah and his family? Only eight (8) souls, and seven (7) of them were only there because Noah found grace in the sight of God. The world that then was perished in its own wickedness; and so today, they are bringing judgment upon themselves because they will not repent of the evil of their own heart.

   The Lord’s sword is already out of its sheath. The Spirit of God cries once more, ‘oh earth, oh earth, hear the word of the Lord.’

And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (Genesis 6:5) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Genesis 6:7) For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. (Genesis 6:8)

Riches and honor had blinded Jehoshaphat

   Riches and honor had blinded Jehoshaphat. He could not see the evil all around him. His son was consumed with the evil of Baal. He was a true disciple of Jezebel, the Zidonian princess who was also a priestess of Baal, and her daughter Athaliah was taught in all the doctrines, and in all the evil acts of Baal. At any time, Jehoshaphat could have stepped in, he could have made Azariah, ‘helped of Jehovah’ to be made heir of the throne instead of Jehoram. Jehoshaphat knew that Jehoram was in the wrong, for before Jehoshaphat’s death he realized that there was strive between Jehoram and his brethren. So, prior to Jehoshaphat’s death he divided among his sons’ great gifts and possessions.

And he had brethren the sons of Jehoshaphat, Azariah, and Jehiel, and Zechariah, and Azariah, and Michael, and Shephatiah: all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel. (2 Chronicles 21:2) And their father gave them great gifts of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fenced cities in Judah: but the kingdom gave he to Jehoram; because he was the firstborn. (2 Chronicles 21:3)

   In the days of David, Solomon was not his first born; yet David made Solomon king to please the Lord. Jehoshaphat could have sought counsel of the Lord on this same principle, God’s counsel could have been sought from the Levites, or even a prophet and God could have made the decision of which son should reign. But Jehoshaphat never questioned or desired counsel from the Lord over who should rule the kingdom of Judah.

The Void Place

   Jehoshaphat was sitting with Ahab on their thrones, they were inside the gates of Samaria (inside the authority and sovereignty of evil), and the Spirit of God states that they were sitting in a void place. What man would describe such pomp, and such a majestic setting in such a way; remember, this was a great feast, there was not only pomp, and music being played, but everything to excite the flesh and to take the mind and heart off the spirit. In reality, Ahab had no right to the throne. His throne was gained by deceit and murder. He was truly in a void place in both heart and soul. Jehoshaphat’s throne was in Jerusalem (his place of authority and sovereignty), he was sitting on a secondary throne that he had just relinquished to Ahab when Jehoshaphat declared that ‘I am as thou art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses.’

And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat each on his throne, having put on their robes, in a void place in the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them. (1 Kings 22:10)

And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah sat either of them on his throne, clothed in [their] robes, and they sat in a void place at the entering in of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them. (2 Chronicles 18:9)

Amen.

© Copyright 2016, Michael Haigh

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All Scripture references are from the King James Bible. (KJB)