Editing Jehoshaphat (section)

==Victory over Moabite alliance==
[[File:Jehoshaphat and the people mourning - the prophecy of Jahaziel.png|thumb|Jehoshaphat and the people mourning - the prophecy of Jahaziel]]
[[File:Triomphe de Josaphat.jpg|thumb|Triumph of Jehoshaphat over [[Ben-Hadad|Adad]] of [[Aram-Damascus|Syria]] as illustrated by [[Jean Fouquet]] (1470s) for [[Josephus]]' ''[[Antiquities of the Jews]]'']]
According to ''Chronicles'', the Moabites formed a great and powerful confederacy with the surrounding nations, and marched against Jehoshaphat.<ref>''Bible'' {{bibleverse|2|Chronicles|20}}</ref> The allied forces were encamped at [[Ein Gedi]]. The king and his people were filled with alarm. The king prayed in the court of [[Solomon's Temple|the Temple]], "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."<ref>''Bible'' {{bibleverse|2|Chronicles|20:12}}</ref> The voice of [[Jahaziel]] the [[Levite]] was heard announcing that the next day all this great host would be overthrown. So it was, for they quarreled among themselves, and slew one another, leaving to the people of Judah only to gather the rich spoils of the slain. Soon after this victory Jehoshaphat died after a reign of twenty-five years at the age of sixty.<ref>''Bible'' {{bibleverse|1|Kings|22:50}}</ref> According to some sources (such as the eleventh-century Jewish commentator [[Rashi]]), he actually died two years later, but gave up his throne earlier for unknown reasons. As with his father Asa, a bonfire was lit in his honor.<ref>''Bible'' {{bibleverse|2|Chronicles|21:19}}</ref>

He also had the ambition to emulate Solomon's maritime ventures to Ophir, and built a large vessel for Tarshish. But when this boat was wrecked at Ezion-Geber he relinquished the project.<ref>''Bible''I Kings xxii. 48 et seq.; II Chron. xx. 35 et seq.</ref>

In I Kings xxii. 43 the piety of Jehoshaphat is briefly dwelt on. Chronicles, in keeping with its tendency, elaborates this trait of the king's character. According to its report,<ref>''Bible'' II Chron. xvii. 7 et seq., xix. 4 et seq</ref> Jehoshaphat organized a missionary movement by sending out his officers, the priests, and the Levites to instruct the people throughout the land in the Law of YHWH, the king himself delivering sermons.

Underlying this ascription to the king of the purpose to carry out the Priestly Code, is the historical fact that Jehoshaphat took heed to organize the administration of justice on a solid foundation, and was an honest worshiper of YHWH. In connection with this the statement that Jehoshaphat expelled the "Ḳedeshim" (R. V. "Sodomites") from the land (1 Kings 22:46) is characteristic; while 2 Chron. 19:3 credits him with having cut down the Asherot. The report<ref>''Bible'' 2 Chron. 17:6</ref> that he took away the "high places" (and the Asherim) conflicts with 1 Kings 22:44 (A. V. v. 43) and 2 Chron. 20:33. The account of Jehoshaphat's tremendous army (1,160,000 men) and the rich tribute received from (among others) the Philistines and the Arabs<ref>''Bible'' II Chron. xvii. 10 et seq.</ref> is not historical. It is in harmony with the theory worked out in Chronicles that pious monarchs have always been the mightiest and most prosperous.<ref name=Hirsch />