King Jehoshaphat-Giving Thanks to the Lord

By Mary Vee
II Chronicles 20

From Jehoshaphat's Scrolls

I finished my prayer and waited. The huge crowd of men, women, and children from the kingdom of Judah and Jerusalem stood with me, in silence. Not one sound. Not one word.

We waited.

Standing in the presence of God at the temple.

Then--the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel, the son of Zechariah the priest. Jahaziel was a Levite, a descendant of Asaph whose clan was to provide the praise and musical part of the worship.

He stepped forward and said, "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem. this is what the Lord says to you. 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the vast army marching against you. For the battle is not yours, but God's. 

"'Tomorrow, march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions. Stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you. 

"'Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you." 

I fell to the ground with my face toward the earth in worship before the Lord. All the people of Judah and Jerusalem did the same. Suddenly I heard singing. Some of the Levites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, singing loud and strong. My heart was stirred and I sang with them. Soon the entire kingdom sang praises to God.

Early the next morning the army gathered. Before signaling the army to move forward I reminded the men. "Remember, have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld. Have faith in his prophets and you will be successful." I appointed a few men to sing to the Lord and to praise Him for His holiness as we marched toward the Desert of Tekoa. 

The men sang:

Give thanks to the Lord for his love endures forever.

We did not know at the time, but found out later, that as the men sang, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, and they were defeated.

Hah! The men from Ammon and Moab ended up rising against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and wipe them out completely. When they finished their work, the army of Ammon turned against the Moabites. The two armies fought against each other. What an amazing sight.

When we arrived at the place that overlooks the dessert and looked toward the vast army, we saw only dead bodies. Not one man could be seen running away to escape. I had never seen such a thing before in my life!

We cautiously marched to the valley and saw it was true. Every soldier lay dead. 

"Gather the plunder men, take back any equipment, clothing, and article of value." There was so much plunder it took us three days to haul all of it back to Jerusalem. On the fourth day we returned to the battlefield and sang praises to the Lord. 

We marched back to Jerusalem with such joy, because God had given us a reason to rejoice over our enemies. We marched straight to the temple singing, playing harps, lutes, and trumpets. What a grand celebration!

My messengers informed me of the growing fear in those who live in countries nearby when they heard how the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel.

It was a glorious day. 

The kingdom of Judah rest at peace, and suffered no war.

It thrilled my heart to tell you of this event. The priests have long reported to our people during Sabbath worship that the Lord will fight our battles for us. 

Today, I saw it happen.

**************************************************

1. After Jehoshaphat finished his prayer what did the people do?
2. Jahaziel, the son of the priest Zechariah, told the people what message from God?
3. What did Jehoshaphat and the people do when Jahaziel finished his message?
4. Early the next morning what did the army do?
5. What happened in the Desert of Tekoa?
6. What did Jehoshaphat and his men do after the battle?

The battle belongs to __________

King Jehoshaphat Asks For God's Help

by Mary Vee
II Chronicles 20

From Jehoshaphat's Scrolls

The messenger ran into my chamber. He didn't wait for permission. The man was out of breath but intent in giving his message. "A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Sea. It is already in En Gedi."

My heart nearly stopped with those words. We had worked as a kingdom to bring ourselves back to following God's commands and worshiping Him as we ought. I did not expect to hear such news.

I closed my eyes and thought. The only solution was to seek God's help. We could not fight this vast army by ourselves. I raised my scepter. "Send messengers throughout the kingdom. Every man, woman, and child is to fast. Go to every corner, every house and speak my words."

It wasn't long before a messenger reported what he saw. The people did not stay at their homes and fast. They journeyed to the temple, to be together and to seek help from the Lord. They came from every town in Judah to participate in prayer and fasting as a nation.

I stood before the people gathered in Jerusalem at the temple of the Lord and in the front of the new courtyard. I led them in this prayer: 

"O Lord God, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. O our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying 'If calamity comes on us, whether the sword of judgement, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress and you will hear us and save us.'

"But now here are men from Amon, Moab, and Mt. Seir, whose territory You would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession You gave us as an inheritance. O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."

I will tell you what happened in the next post.

*************************************

photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

1. Jehoshaphat sent a messenger throughout the kingdom to tell the people to _______
2. The people came to ________________
3. When seeing all the people, Jehoshaphat led the people in ____________
4. What did Jehoshaphat say to God?

Foolish King Jehoshophat

By Mary Vee
I Kings 22

From A Messenger's Journal

I am a messenger from king Ahab's court. Sometimes my job involves sneaking to another city, listening for news then reporting it back to the court.

This time I did not need to report my news. 

Despite the warnings of the prophet Micaiah not to go to battle, king Jehoshaphat agreed to help king Ahab fight his battle against the king of Aram. 

When I sneaked into Ramoth-Gilead, I heard the king of Aram order his thirty-two commanders, "Do not fight with anyone, small or great, except the king of Israel." I was surprised he only wanted to attack king Ahab and not the army.

I reported the news back to king Ahab.

As they prepared for battle, king Ahab said to king Jehoshaphat, "I will enter the battle in disguise, but you wear your royal robes."

This seemed strange to me, but Jehoshaphat agreed. Jehoshaphat mounted his royal chariot, dressed in his royal robes, while Ahab marched in disguise with the other soldiers. Jehoshaphat's clothing looked different from Ahab's, but would the king of Aram know the difference?

The battle began. I marched with the soldiers. Ahab road in a chariot to my left. We advanced against Ramoth Gilead. The enemy marched against us, shouting orders. We pressed forward in battle but found chariots dodging our men. 

Their army steered toward Jehoshaphat's chariot. We tried to protect him, but their soldiers moved with such power.  Jehoshaphat shouted, "I am not the king of Israel!" Their army stopped chasing him, following the command of their king.

One of king Aram's soldiers drew his bow and shot into our army anyway, hitting king Ahab. The arrow pierced the sections of his armor. The king told his chariot driver, "Turn around, I have been wounded."

The battle continued throughout the day. I stayed with the king, nursing his wound with a few others. We propped him up inside his chariot and facing the Arameans. The blood from his wound ran onto the floor of the chariot, and that evening he died.

As the sun set, we shouted, "Every man to his town. Every one to his own land."

The doctors carried Ahab back to the city. I was told to insure Jehoshaphat returned safely. 

When he arrived at his palace, a prophet named Jehu greeted him with a message. "My king. Why did you help the wicked king, Ahab, the very man who hates the Lord? Because you did, the wrath of the Lord is upon you. The Lord has said there is some good in you, however. You have rid the land of the Asherah poles and have set your heart on seeking God."

I didn't get to hear what his punishment would be before I returned to Samaria. 

King Ahab was buried in Samaria. His chariot was washed in a pool and the dogs licked up his blood, just as the Lord had said.

All of Israel celebrated the crowning of Ahaziah, Ahab's son, as king over Israel.

***********************************
photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

1. King ___________ and King ___________ went to battle against ___________.
2. King _______________ wore his royal robes into battle.
3. King _______________ did not. He wore a disguise.
4. King _______________ ordered his men to only attack ______________.
5. The enemy chased king ____________ but stopped when they realized he was the wrong man.
6. A stray arrow flew and hit king _______________. He died that night.
7. When king ___________ returned a prophet greeted him with a message from the Lord. 
8. What did King Jehosophat do wrong?

Ahab asks Jehoshaphat to Join HIm in Battle

By Mary Vee
I Kings 22

From Jehoshaphat's Scrolls

I last wrote you more than a month ago. But, like I said in those words, you needed to know what my brother, King Ahab, ruler of the other ten tribes had done. 

My spies have kept me posted about the prophet Elijah's challenge against Ahab and Jezebel's prophets. Did they really think the Baal would win over the one true God?

Ahab's news about the victorious battle with Ben Hadad, king of Aram and his poor choice to steal Naboth's vineyard tells us that Ahab didn't learn any thing from Elijah's great proof of God's power.

Still, he is my brother. A Hebrew and ruler of the ten tribes of Israel. And though the two tribes that I rule have been left separate, we, the two tribes in Judah, continue to choose to worship God. We aren't perfect. There are those who worship false gods even in my territory, but I work to prevent it. 

I decided to visit Ahab to see how he was doing. Perhaps help him choose to worship God instead of Baal. He invited me into his chamber and served me a grand meal made from sheep and cattle. He raised his glass and toasted me in front of all who sat at the table. 

He told me about his current plans, wanting me to help with an attack against Ramoth Gilead.

"Jehoshaphat, don't you know that Ramoth Gilead belongs to us and yet we are doing nothing to retake it from the king of Aram? Will you go with me to fight agains Ramoth Gilead?"

Ah, I see, he still wants to conquer Ben Hadad and needs my help. "I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses. Before I agree to help, though, you will need to first seek the counsel of the Lord. I want to know if the Lord has approved this battle."

Ahab nodded and called for his guards. "Bring me the prophets, the four hundred men who serve me."

Later that day the group gathered at the threshing floor at the gate of Samaria, where Ahab and I sat on thrones, dressed in our kingly robes. He ordered their silence and spoke, "Shall I go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?"

The men didn't take time to think, they didn't call on God for his answer. Instead they answered right away. "Go, for the Lord will give Ramoth Gilead into your hands."

One of the prophets, Zedekiah, did not speak with the others. He stood there holding iron horns. When the other prophets silenced, he spoke. "This is what the Lord says, 'With these you will attack the Arameans until they are destroyed."

Ahab smiled and looked to the other prophets to see if they agreed with him.

The other prophets quickly nodded and shouted, "Attack Ramoth Gilead and be victorious for the Lord will give it into your hands."

Something didn't seem right to me. The prophets seemed to anxious to answer. They didn't go away and speak with the Lord. I turned to Ahab. "Is there not a prophet of the Lord here whom we can ask?"

Come back next time to see what happens.

*********************************
Photo courtesy of christianimagesource.com

1. Jehoshaphat is king of _______________
2. Ahab is king of _____________________
3. Ahab didn't worship ____________ as Jehoshaphat.
4. When Jehoshaphat visited Ahab, Ahab asked Jehoshaphat to help him __________.
5. Ahab's enemy _____________ ruled Ramoth Gilead
6. Jehoshaphat assured Ahab that they were brothers, sharing everything. But before he agreed to help Ahab, Jehoshaphat asked him to seek counsel from ___________."
7. Ahab agreed and called for _________________
8. After hearing the suggestions, Jehoshaphat agreed/did not agree. Which is correct?

Jehoshaphat-Taught the People

By Mary Vee
I Kings 22 and II Chronicles 17

From A Priest's Journal

So much can be said about a person's actions.

Especially a leader.

Jehoshaphat, king of Judah not only had a heart devoted to God, but he also wanted the people living in Judah to live as God commanded. Of course the men and women saw his example. They needed more, though. 

In the third year of Jehoshaphat's reign he sent his officials: Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Michaiah, also certain Levites: Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-Adonijah with these priests: Elishama and Jehoram throughout the country. 

Their job? Teach the Book of the Law of the Lord to all the people in every town of Judah.

In time all the countries around Judah became fearful of the Lord. They saw what the Lord did for Judah while Jehoshaphat's example drew the people close to God. Not one country threatened war against Judah during this time.

Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts including silver to show their respect for Jehoshaphat and Judah's dedication to God. Even the Arabs brought him flocks: seven thousand seven hundred rams, and seven thousand seven hundred goats. 

Our king, Jehoshaphat became powerful. He used the gifts to build forts and store cities in Judah keeping large supplies in the towns of Judah. No one needed anything. He also paid for experienced fighting men in Jerusalem. Those who protected the king numbered one million, one hundred sixty thousand men!  

One day, Ahab, the king of Israel, asked Jehoshaphat, "Will you go with me to fight against Ramoth Gilead?"

Jehoshaphat answered, "I am as you are, my people are your people, my horses are your horses. First, before I agree to help, you must ask God if we should."

Before I can continue this story, I need to tell you about Ahab, the king of Israel.

Ahab did not love God. He didn't worship Him. And ... wait, this is a big story to tell. Come back next time to read how God sent a starving prophet using a raven, and find out what happened to a king who listened the queen who did not love God.

********************************

1.  Jehoshaphat knew showing the people of Judah how to obey God was important, but not enough. What did Jehoshaphat do?
2.  Jehoshaphat sent his officials, the __________, and the _______ to every town in Judah.
3.  What were these men suppose to teach the people?
4. What happened to Judah while Jehoshaphat ruled?
5. Who brought Judah gifts?
6. Who asked Jehoshaphat to help him?
7. What did Jehoshaphat say Ahab had to do first?

Jehoshaphat-Proved His Devoted Heart to God

By Mary Vee
I Kings 15, II Chronicles 20

From a Priest's Journal

It doesn't take much to be able to tell a dedicated heart for God, for me anyway. As a priest I get to see what many people do when others aren't looking. The proof is in their daily actions and goals.

King Asa died a sad death. He could have asked God to heal his feet, but he didn't. I'm not saying that I know for sure if God's plan included Asa's healing at that time. He simply didn't even ask, and so the infection spread and he died.

His son, Jehoshaphat, bless his heart, loved God and wanted with all his heart to finish the job his father started. 

After Jehoshaphat became king, he went throughout the country to removed any new gods put up by the people, the high places where the people worshipped other gods, and the Asherah poles in all Judah.

He followed the teachings of his father Asa: how to do what was right in the eyes of the Lord and to keep God's commands. He became a great example to the people of Judah, showing them how a devoted heart to God should act. 

Unfortunately in the area of Edom, there was no king at the time. If only the Edomites could have had Jehoshaphat to teach them. They worshipped false gods rather than the Almighty God of their fathers before them, the God who loved them.

I am in wonder how the Edomites could not see the good Jehoshaphat has brought to Judah. 

Jehoshaphat stationed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah and in Ephraim and built forts for them.

This is a man whom the Lord clearly was with because in his early years, Jehoshaphat walked in the ways of his great, great, great grandfather, David, had followed.

Unlike the king of Israel, Jehoshaphat did not talk to the Baal gods but asked the Almighty God his questions. After hearing the answer, he followed God's instructions exactly as God said. 

The people of Judah loved their king and showed it by bringing him rich gifts. He had great wealth and was given honor from his people. 

Yes, this was the kind of king I wish could forever reign in Judah. A man whose heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord and proved it by removing all the false gods.

What else did Jehoshaphat do during his reign to prove his devoted heart to God? Come back next time and see.

***********************************
Photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

1.  What didn't Asa, king of Judah do?
2.  What happened to him?
3.  Who is Jehoshaphat?
4.  How did Jehoshaphat prove his devoted heart to God?
5. Who didn't have a king at this time?
6.  What happened different in that country?
7.  While Jehoshaphat was king, Judah would have been a great place or scary place to live.