Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
Jehovah-judged. ) One of David’s body-guard (1 Chr. 11:43). ) One of the priests who accompanied the removal of the ark to Jerusalem (1 Chr. 15:24). ) Son of Ahilud, “recorder” or annalist under David and Solomon (2 Sam. 8:16), a state officer of high rank, chancellor or vizier of the kingdom. ) Solomon’s purveyor in Issachar (1 Kings 4:17). ) The son and successor of Asa, king of Judah. After fortifying his kingdom against Israel (2 Chr. 17:1, 2), he set himself to cleanse the land of idolatry (1 Kings 22:43).
In the third year of his reign he sent out priests and Levites over the land to instruct the people in the law (2 Chr. 17:7-9). ” The great mistake of his reign was his entering into an alliance with Ahab, the king of Israel, which involved him in much disgrace, and brought disaster on his kingdom (1 Kings 22:1-33).
Escaping from the bloody battle of Ramoth-gilead, the prophet Jehu (2 Chr. 19:1-3) reproached him for the course he had been pursuing, whereupon he entered with rigour on his former course of opposition to all idolatry, and of deepening interest in the worship of God and in the righteous government of the people (2 Chr. 19:4-11). Again he entered into an alliance with Ahaziah, the king of Israel, for the purpose of carrying on maritime commerce with Ophir. But the fleet that was then equipped at Ezion-gaber was speedily wrecked.
A new fleet was fitted out without the co-operation of the king of Israel, and although it was successful, the trade was not prosecuted (2 Chr. 20:35-37; 1 Kings 22:48-49). He subsequently joined Jehoram, king of Israel, in a war against the Moabites, who were under tribute to Israel. This war was successful. The Moabites were subdued; but the dreadful act of Mesha in offering his own son a sacrifice on the walls of Kir-haresheth in the sight of the armies of Israel filled him with horror, and he withdrew and returned to his own land (2 Kings 3:4-27).
The last most notable event of his reign was that recorded in 2 Chr. 20. The Moabites formed a great and powerful confederacy with the surrounding nations, and came against Jehoshaphat. The allied forces were encamped at Engedi. The king and his people were filled with alarm, and betook themselves to God in prayer. The king prayed in the court of the temple, “O our God, wilt thou not judge them? ” Amid the silence that followed, the voice of Jahaziel the Levite was heard announcing that on the morrow all this great host would be overthrown.
So it was, for they quarrelled among themselves, and slew one another, leaving to the people of Judah only to gather the rich spoils of the slain. C. 890). Soon after this Jehoshaphat died, after a reign of twenty-five years, being sixty years of age, and was succeeded by his son Jehoram (1 Kings 22:50). He had this testimony, that “he sought the Lord with all his heart” (2 Chr. 22:9). The kingdom of Judah was never more prosperous than under his reign. ) The son of Nimshi, and father of Jehu, king of Israel (2 Kings 9:2, 14).
Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)
(whom Jehovah judges.)
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898)
JEHOSH'APHAT(whom Jehovah judges). The royal "recorder" or annalist under David and Solomon. 2 Sam 8:16; 2 Sam 20:24; 1 Kgs 4:3; 1 Chr 18:15. Solomon's purveyor for the tribe of Issachar. 1 Kgs 4:17. The son and successor of Asa, king of Judah, 1 Kgs 15:24; 2 Chr 17:1; called Josaphat in Matt 1:8, and in 2 Chr 21:2 the king of Israel, where the writer uses the generic term. c. 914-890. He was a prince of distinguished piety, and his reign was powerful and prosperous. 2 Chr 17:3-6.
Among other evidences of his piety and benevolence, we are told that he caused the altars and places of idolatry to be destroyed, a knowledge of the law to be diffused throughout the kingdom, and the places of judicial and ecclesiastical authority to be filled by the wisest and best men of the land. 2 Chr 17:6-9; 2 Chr 19:5-11. His sin in forming a league with Ahab, contrary to the counsel of Micaiah, against Ramoth-gilead, 2 Chr 18, was severely censured by Jehu, 2 Chr 19:2, and had nearly cost him his life. 2 Chr 18:31.
A few years after this the kingdom of Judah was invaded by a confederacy of Edomites, Moabites, and others. They collected their forces at En-gedi, and threatened to overthrow the kingdom. Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast, and the people from all parts of the kingdom -men, women, and children- came up to Jerusalem; and being assembled in one place, the king himself made supplication to God for help in their extremity. 2 Chr 20:6-12. His prayer was answered, and a certain and easy victory was promised by the Lord through Jahaziel, a Levite.
On the following day the army of Judah went forth to meet the enemy, preceded by a company of singers, who praised the name of the Lord. The enemy were panic-struck and fell into irrecoverable confusion, and instead of facing their adversaries turned their swords against each other, until they were utterly routed and overthrown; so that Jehoshaphat and his men had no occasion to engage in the conflict. And such abundance of spoil remained in the camp that the men of Judah were employed three days in collecting it. 2 Chr 20:14-27.
Still later in his life, Jehoshaphat connected himself with Ahaziah, son and successor of Ahab, king of Israel, in a naval expedition; but this alliance with a wicked king turned out disastrously; as had been predicted by Eliezer, the son of Dodovah; for while the fleet lay at Ezion-geber it was utterly destroyed by a violent storm. 2 Chr 20:35, 2 Chr 20:37. See Ahaziah.
Again he involved himself in an alliance with Jehoram, the second son of Ahab, and also with the Edomites, for the purpose of invading the land of Moab; but while they attempted to make their way through the wilderness their water failed, and the whole army must have perished with thirst had not a miraculous supply been granted in answer to the prayers of Elisha, who accompanied the army. 2 Kgs 3:6-20. Jehoshaphat left seven sons, one of whom, Jehoram, succeeded him.
It may be said of his reign, as of that of many others in ancient and modern times, that his schemes of reform were dependent on his personal influence, and, not being in conformity with the popular sentiment and general policy of the country, were not of permanent utility. The father of King Jehu. 2 Kgs 9:2, 2 Kgs 9:14. A priest in the time of David. 1 Chr 15:24.
Hitchcock's Bible Names (1869)
the Lord is judge
Schaff's Bible Dictionary
JEHOSHAPHAT, VALLEY OF (valley of the judgement of Jehovah), a place named only in Joel 3:2, Deut 3:12. Three leading explanations have been given. That the valley referred to is the same as the "valley of Berachah," where the forces allied against Israel were defeated by Jehoshaphat. 2 Chr 20:16-26. This event took place 100 years before Joel, and may have given rise to this expression of the prophet. That the valley is that of the Kedron, east of Jerusalem. Jews, Mohammedans, and Christians have identified the Kedron with the Valley of Jehoshaphat.
The Mohammedans point out a stone on which they think the prophet will be seated at the last judgment, and medieval Christian tradition also indicated a stone on which it was then believed that Christ would sit at the judgment. The valley is a favorite burial-place, and some expect that the sides of the valley will move apart at the resurrection to afford room for a great assembly. d. This identification of Jehoshaphat with the Kedron is now generally regarded as based upon a misinterpretation of Joel.
That the name does not refer to any special place, but to either (a) the scene of great victories, as those of the Maccabees; or (b) the general judgment at the end of the world; or (c) the truth that God's persecuted people he will defend and vindicate.