Emily: Welcome To Immerse: The Daily Bible Reading Experience.
Day 300 and 42.
Then Jaha Shaphat, Issa's son became the next king.
He strengthened Judah to stand against any attack from Israel.
He stationed troops in all the fortified towns of Judah, and he
assigned additional garrisons to the land of Judah and to the towns of
Raam that his father Asa had captured.
The Lord was with Jeha Shaphat because he followed the example of
his father's early years and did not worship the images of Baal.
He sought his father's God and obeyed his commands instead of following the
evil practices of the kingdom of Israel.
So the Lord established jehoshaphat's control over the kingdom of Judah.
All the people of Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat, so he became
very wealthy and highly esteemed.
He was deeply committed to the ways of the Lord.
He removed the pagan shrines and as Shira poles from Judah.
In the third year of his reign, Jehoshaphat sent his officials to
teach in all the towns of Judah.
These officials included Ben Hale, Obadiah, Zechariah, Neel, and Makaya.
He sent levies along with them, including Shama, Naiah, Zeba, hel Shaira, Johanan
Aja, and Tab Aja.
He also sent out the priests Elma and Jehoram.
They took copies of the book of the law of the Lord and traveled around through all
the towns of Judah teaching the people.
Then the fear of the Lord fell over all the surrounding kingdoms so that none of
them wanted to declare war on Jehoshaphat.
Some of the Philistines brought him gifts and silver as tribute.
And the Arabs brought 7,700 rams and 7,700 male goats.
Soja has Shaphat became more and more powerful and built fortresses
and storage cities throughout Judah.
He stored numerous supplies in Judah's towns and stationed an army
of seasoned troops at Jerusalem.
His army was enrolled according to ancestral clans.
From Judah, there were 300,000 troops organized in units of
1000 under the command of Adina.
Next in command was Hannan, who commanded 280,000 troops.
Next was Amiah son of Zaria, who volunteered for the Lord's
service with 200,000 troops under his command from Benjamin.
There were 200,000 troops equipped with bows and shields.
They were under the command of Ilda a veteran soldier.
Next in command was Jehosaphat who commanded 180,000 armed men.
These were the troops stationed in Jerusalem to serve the king.
Besides those Jehoshaphat stationed in the fortified towns throughout
Judah, Jehoshaphat enjoyed great riches and high esteem, and he made
an alliance with Ahab of Israel by having his son, Mary Ahab's daughter.
A few years later, he went to Samaria to visit Ahab, who prepared a great
banquet for him and his officials.
They butchered great numbers of sheep, goats, and cattle for the feast.
Then Ahab enticed Jeha Shaphat to join forces with him to
recover Ray Moth Gilead.
Will you go with me to Ray Gilead.
King Ahab of Israel asked King Jehoshaphat of Judah.
PHA replied, why?
Of course.
You and I are as one, and my troops are your troops.
We will certainly join you in battle then Jha Shaphat added.
But first let's find out what the Lord says.
So the King of Israel summoned the prophets, 400 of them, and asked
them, should we go to war against Ray Moth, Gilead, or should I hold back?
They all replied, yes, go right ahead.
God will give the king victory.
PHA asked, is there not also a prophet of the Lord?
Here, we should ask him the same question.
The King of Israel replied to Jehoshaphat.
There is one more man who could consult the Lord for us, but I hate him.
He never prophesies anything but trouble for me.
His name is McKay, son of mla.
PHA replied, that's not the way a King should talk.
Let's hear what he has to say.
So the King of Israel called one of his officials and said, quick bring
McKay's son of mla, king Ahab of Israel.
And King Jehoshaphat of Judah dressed in their royal robes were
sitting on thrones at the threshing floor near the gate of Sam Samaria.
All of Ahab's prophets were prophesying there in front of them.
One of them, Zaya, son of Ana, made some iron horns and proclaimed.
This is what the Lord says with these horns, you will gore the Ians to death.
All the other prophets agreed yes, they said, go up to ramus,
Gilead and be victorious.
For the Lord will give the king victory.
Meanwhile, the messenger who went to get McKay said to him, look, all the prophets
are promising victory for the king.
Be sure that you agree with them and promise success.
But Mica replied, as surely as the Lord lives, I will say only what my God says.
When Mica arrived before the King, Ahab asked him, Mica,
should we go to war against Ramm, Gilead, or should I hold back?
Mica replied sarcastically.
Yes.
Go up and be victorious for you'll have victory over them.
But the king replied sharply, how many times must I demand
that you speak only the truth to me when you speak for the Lord?
Then McKay told him in a vision, I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains
like sheep without a shepherd, and the Lord said their master has been killed.
Send them home in peace.
Didn't I tell you, the King of Israel exclaimed to Jehoshaphat.
He never prophesies anything but trouble for me.
Then McKay continued.
Listen to what the Lord says.
I saw the Lord sitting on his throne with all the armies of heaven around
him, on his right and on his left, and the Lord said, who can entice
King Ahab of Israel to go into battle against Ramh Gilead so he can be killed?
There were many suggestions, and finally a spirit approached
the Lord and said, I can do it.
How will you do this?
The Lord asked and the spirit replied, I will go out and inspire
all of Ahab's prophets to speak lies you will succeed, said the Lord.
Go ahead and do it.
So you see, the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouths of your prophets.
For the Lord has pronounced your doom.
Then Zedekiah son of Ana, walked up to McKay and slapped him across the
face since When did the spirit of the Lord leave me to speak to you?
He demanded and McKay replied, you will find out soon enough when you are
trying to hide in some secret room.
Arrest him.
The King of Israel ordered.
Take him back to Amon, the governor of the city, and to my son Joash.
Give them this order from the king.
Put this man in prison and feed him nothing but bread and water until
I return safely from the battle.
But McKay replied, if you return safely, it will mean that the
Lord has not spoken through me.
Then he added to those standing around everyone, mark my words.
So King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah led
their armies against Ramh.
Gilead, the King of Israel, said to Jehoshaphat, as we go into
battle, I will disguise myself so no one will recognize me.
But you were your royal robes.
So the King of Israel disguised himself and they went into battle.
Meanwhile, the king of Aram had issued these orders to his chariot commanders.
Attack.
Only the King of Israel don't bother with anyone else.
So when the Raan chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat in his royal
robes, they went after him.
There is the King of Israel.
They shouted, but Jehoshaphat called out and the Lord saved him.
God helped him by turning the attackers away from him.
As soon as the chariot commanders realized he was not the king of
Israel, they stopped chasing him.
An Aian soldier, however, randomly shot an arrow at the Israelite troops
and hit the King of Israel between the joints of his armor, turned
the horses and get me out of here.
Ahab groaned to the driver of the chariot.
I'm badly wounded.
The battle raged all that day and the King of Israel propped himself up in
his chariot, facing the Ians in the evening, just as the sun was setting.
He died when King Jeha Shaphat of Judah arrived safely home in Jerusalem.
Ge Hu son of Hena, NAI the seer, went out to meet him.
Why should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord?
He asked the king because of what you have done.
The Lord is very angry with you.
Even so there is some good in you for you have removed the as poles
throughout the land and you have committed yourself to seeking God.
Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, but he went out among the people traveling
from Biers, Shiba to the hill country of Raam, encouraging the people to return
to the Lord the God of their ancestors.
He appointed judges throughout the nation in all the fortified towns,
and he said to them, always think carefully before pronouncing judgment.
Remember that you do not judge to please people, but to please the Lord.
He will be with you when you render the verdict.
In each case, fear the Lord and judge with integrity for the Lord.
Our God does not tolerate perverted justice, partiality, or the taking
of bribes in Jerusalem To s Shaphat appointed some of the Levites and priests
and clan leaders in Israel to serve as judges for cases involving the Lord's
regulations and for civil disputes.
These were his instructions to them.
You must always act in the fear of the Lord with faithfulness
and an undivided heart.
Whenever a case comes to you from fellow citizens in an outlying town, whether
a murder case or some other violation of God's laws, commands decrease or
regulations, you must warn them not to sin against the Lord so that he
will not be angry with you and them do this and you will not be guilty.
Amiah, the high priest will have final say in all cases involving
the Lord Zebediah son of Ishma.
A leader from the tribe of Judah will have final say in all civil cases.
The levies will assist you in making sure that justice is served.
Take courage as you fulfill your duties, and may the Lord be with
those who do what is right After this.
The armies of the Moabites Ammonites and some of the mites
declared war on Jehoshaphat.
Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, A vast army from Edam is marching
against you from Beyond the Dead Sea.
They are already at Haze Tamar.
This was another name for en gdi.
Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news and begged the Lord for guidance.
He also ordered everyone in Judah to begin fasting.
So people from all the towns of Judah came to Jerusalem to seek the Lord's help.
Jehoshaphat stood before the community of Judah and Jerusalem
in front of the new courtyard.
At the temple of the Lord.
He prayed, oh Lord God of our ancestors.
You alone are the God who is in heaven.
You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth.
You are powerful and mighty.
No one can stand against you.
Oh our God.
Did you not drive out those who lived in this land when your people Israel arrived?
And did you not give this land forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham?
Your people settled here and built this temple to honor your name.
They said, whenever we are faced with any calamity such as war, Plague or famine,
we can come to stand in your presence before this temple where your name is
honored, we can cry out to you to save us and you will hear us and rescue us.
And now see what the armies of am, amen, Moab and Mount Seer are doing.
You would not let our ancestors invade those nations when Israel left Egypt.
So they went around them and did not destroy them.
Now see how they reward us for they have come to throw us out of your land,
which you gave us as an inheritance.
Oh our God, won't you stop them?
We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us.
We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.
As all the men of Judah stood before the Lord with their
little ones, wives and children.
The spirit of the Lord came upon one of the men standing there.
His name was Je Haze, son of Zechariah.
Son of Bene son of Jao.
Son of Maiah, a Levite who was a descendant of asap.
He said, listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem, listen, king Jeha, shaphat.
This is what the Lord says.
Do not be afraid.
Don't be discouraged by this mighty army.
For the battle is not yours, but Gods tomorrow, march out against them.
You will find them coming up through the ascent of Zzz at the end of the valley
that opens into the wilderness of J, but you will not even need to fight.
Take your positions then stand still and watch the Lord's victory.
He is with you.
Oh, people of Judah and Jerusalem do not be afraid or discouraged.
Go out against them tomorrow for the Lord is with you.
Then King Jaha Shaphat bowed low with his face to the ground, and all
the people of Judah and Jerusalem did the same worshiping the Lord.
Then the Levites from the clans of Koha and Cora stood to praise the Lord, the
God of Israel, with a very loud shout.
Early the next morning, the army of Judah went out into the
wilderness of Takah on the way.
Jehoshaphat stopped and said, listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem,
believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm, believe
in his prophets, and you will succeed.
After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead
of the army singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor.
This is what they sang.
Give thanks to the Lord his faithful love and dears forever.
At the very moment they began to sing and give praise.
The Lord caused the armies of am.
Amen, Moab and Mount Sr.
To start fighting among themselves.
The armies of Moab and Amin turned against their allies from Mount
Sr and killed every one of them.
After they had destroyed the army of Sr, they began attacking each other.
So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness,
all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see.
Not a single one of the enemy had escaped.
King Jeha, Shaphat and his men went out to gather the plunder.
They found vast amounts of equipment, clothing, and other valuables
more than they could carry.
There was so much plunder that it took them three days just to collect it all.
On the fourth day, they gathered in the Valley of Blessing, which
got its name that day because the people praised and thanked the Lord.
There it is.
Still called the Valley of Blessing today.
Then all the men returned to Jerusalem with Jehoshaphat leading them
overjoyed that the Lord had given them victory over their enemies.
They marched into Jerusalem to the music of harps, liars, and trumpets, and they
proceeded to the temple of the Lord.
When all the surrounding kingdoms heard that the Lord himself had
fought against the enemies of Israel, the fear of God came over them.
So Jehoshaphat's Kingdom was at peace.
For his God had given him rest on every side.
So Jaha Shaphat ruled over the land of Judah.
He was 35 years old when he became King, and he reigned in Jerusalem 25 years.
His mother was Azua, the daughter of Shai Jaha.
Shaphat was a good king following the ways of his father Asa.
He did what was pleasing in the Lord's sight.
During his reign, however, he failed to remove all the pagan shrines and the
people never fully committed themselves to follow the God of their ancestors.
The rest of the events of Jehoshaphat's reign from beginning to end are
recorded in the record of Jehu, son of Hane nai, which is included in
the Book of the Kings of Israel.
Sometime later.
King Jehoshaphat of Judah made an alliance with King Aah of
Israel who was very wicked.
Together, they built a fleet of trading ships at the Port of Ian Giber.
Then Ella Zer, son of Do Deve Hu from Maisha, prophesied against Jehoshaphat.
He said, because you have allied yourself with King, aah, the
Lord will destroy your work.
So the ships met with disaster and never put out to sea.