2Ch 19:1 | KingComments | STEP | Jehoshaphat’s safe homecoming is in sharp contrast with Ahab’s end ( ). Jehoshaphat returns “in safety to his house in Jerusalem” ( ). With that he gets more than he deserves. For he has said: “I am as you are” ( ). He did not go the way of the righteous, but that of the wicked. In that way he should have perished: “For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish” ( ). Still impressed by what happened – that the word of the prophet Micaiah became true – there comes a message from God. Back home Jehoshaphat is visited by a prophet, Jehu ( ). This is the son of Hanani, who prophesied to Asa and therefore ended up in prison ( ). His son Jehu, however, did not become afraid of this, and fearlessly prophesies to Asa’s son when he has been on the wrong path. Here a faithful father has a faithful son. Jehoshaphat reacts differently than his father ( ). The prophet speaks clear language ( ). Prophets call things by their name. He speaks to Jehoshaphat that he has turned things completely upside down by supporting the wicked in his bad work and showing love for those who hate the LORD. He has been the opposite of the LORD and His judgment of sin. That’s why “wrath … from before the LORD” is resting on Jehoshaphat. The LORD cannot rejoice about him who is the king of His people. On the contrary. Jehoshaphat was not like David who did choose the LORD’s side against evil and the evil ones ( ; cf. ; ). After his solemn admonition Jehu also talks about the good things that are present with Jehoshaphat. A true prophet also has love for the one to whom he speaks and also calls the good ( ). The Lord knows the good of everyone who loves Him. The lesson for us from all this is that we should only love what God loves. The good Jehoshaphat did, consists of two things. The first is that he has removed the Asheroth from the land. This is an external action. Secondly, this action proves that his heart is in order before God. He has set his heart to seek God. This is an inner mind, which is also an action of Jehoshaphat. Both are pleasing to God and are noticed and appreciated by Him.

‏ 2 Chronicles 19:1

Jehoshaphat Rebuked

Jehoshaphat’s safe homecoming is in sharp contrast with Ahab’s end (2Chr 18:27a ; 34). Jehoshaphat returns “in safety to his house in Jerusalem” (2Chr 19:1). With that he gets more than he deserves. For he has said: “I am as you are” (2Chr 18:3). He did not go the way of the righteous, but that of the wicked. In that way he should have perished: “For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish” (Psa 1:6).

Still impressed by what happened – that the word of the prophet Micaiah became true – there comes a message from God. Back home Jehoshaphat is visited by a prophet, Jehu (2Chr 19:2). This is the son of Hanani, who prophesied to Asa and therefore ended up in prison (2Chr 16:7-10). His son Jehu, however, did not become afraid of this, and fearlessly prophesies to Asa’s son when he has been on the wrong path. Here a faithful father has a faithful son. Jehoshaphat reacts differently than his father (Pro 15:5 ; 32).

The prophet speaks clear language (2Chr 19:2). Prophets call things by their name. He speaks to Jehoshaphat that he has turned things completely upside down by supporting the wicked in his bad work and showing love for those who hate the LORD. He has been the opposite of the LORD and His judgment of sin. That’s why “wrath … from before the LORD” is resting on Jehoshaphat. The LORD cannot rejoice about him who is the king of His people. On the contrary. Jehoshaphat was not like David who did choose the LORD’s side against evil and the evil ones (Psa 139:21; cf. Jam 4:4; Lk 16:13).

After his solemn admonition Jehu also talks about the good things that are present with Jehoshaphat. A true prophet also has love for the one to whom he speaks and also calls the good (2Chr 19:3). The Lord knows the good of everyone who loves Him. The lesson for us from all this is that we should only love what God loves.

The good Jehoshaphat did, consists of two things. The first is that he has removed the Asheroth from the land. This is an external action. Secondly, this action proves that his heart is in order before God. He has set his heart to seek God. This is an inner mind, which is also an action of Jehoshaphat. Both are pleasing to God and are noticed and appreciated by Him.