Jehoshaphat Invaded by Moab
1 After this, the Moabites, the Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle. 2 Then some came who told Jehoshaphat, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea from Syria. Look! They are in Hazazon Tamar” (that is, En Gedi). 3 Jehoshaphat was alarmed and set himself to seek the Lord. He proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 Judah gathered together to seek help from the Lord. They came out of all the cities of Judah to seek the Lord.
Jehoshaphat’s Prayer
5 Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court, 6 and he said, “Lord, God of our fathers, are you not the God in heaven? Are you not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in your hand, so that no one is able to withstand you. 7 Did you, our God, not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the offspring of Abraham, your friend? 8 They lived in it and have built you a sanctuary in it for your name, saying, 9 ‘If disaster comes on us—the sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine—we will stand before this house, and before you (for your name is in this house), and cry to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save us.’
10 Now the Ammonites and Moabites and men from Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned away from them and did not destroy them. 11 Look now, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of your possession which you have given us to inherit. 12 Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no might against this great army that comes against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”
13 All Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.
The Prophecy of Jahaziel
14 Then, in the midst of the assembly, the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite, of the sons of Asaph, 15 and he said, “Listen, all Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, king Jehoshaphat. The Lord says to you, ‘Do not be afraid, and do not be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
16 Tomorrow, go down against them. They are coming up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, before the wilderness of Jeruel. 17 You will not need to fight this battle. Position yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you.’ ”
18 Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord, worshiping God. 19 The Levites, the Kohathites and the Korahites stood up to praise the Lord, the God of Israel, with an exceedingly loud voice.
The Enemies Destroy Themselves
20 They rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. As they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, so you will be established! Believe his prophets, so you will prosper.”
21 When he had received counsel from the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and give praise in holy array as they went out before the army, singing, “Give thanks to the Lord, for his loving kindness endures forever.”
22 When they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushers against the Ammonites, Moabites, and those in Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, and they were defeated. 23 For the Ammonites and Moabites stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir to utterly kill and destroy them. When they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they helped by destroying each other.
24 When Judah came to the place overlooking the wilderness, they looked for the multitude, but there were only were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and there were none who had escaped.
25 When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take their plunder, they found among them in abundance, both riches and dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away. They took plunder for three days, it was so much.
The People Return in Triumph
26 On the fourth day, they assembled themselves in Beracah Valley, for there they blessed the Lord. Therefore that place was called “Beracah Valley” to this day. 27 Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat in front of them, to go back to Jerusalem with joy, for the Lord had caused them to rejoice over their enemies. 28 They came to Jerusalem with stringed instruments, harps, and trumpets to the house of the Lord. 29 When all the kingdoms of the countries heard that the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel, they were afraid of God. 30 So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around.
Summary of Jehoshaphat’s Reign
31 Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah. He was 35 years old when he began to reign, and he reigned 25 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi. 32 He walked in the ways of Asa his father and did not turn away from it, doing that which was right in the eyes of the Lord. 33 However the high places were not taken away, and the people had still not set their hearts on the God of their fathers. 34 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, from the first to the last, they are written in the history of Jehu the son of Hanani, which is included in the book of the kings of Israel.
Jehoshaphat’s Convoy Perishes
35 After this, Jehoshaphat king of Judah joined himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who acted very wickedly. 36 He joined himself with Ahaziah to make ships to go to Tarshish, which they made in Ezion Geber. 37 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have joined yourself with Ahaziah, the Lord has destroyed your works.” The ships were wrecked, so that they were not able to go to Tarshish.