“Repent and do the things you did at first,” the risen Lord Jesus warns the church in Ephesus (Revelation 2:5). Something similar happens at the beginning of today’s text.

As Jehoshaphat returns to Jerusalem, Hanani, the seer who had condemned Asa’s alliance with Aram (2 Chronicles 16:7–9), meets him with a similar message (19:2): “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord?” Jehoshaphat’s rash alliance with Ahab has provoked God’s anger. But God has not rejected him, for he has sought God zealously and set his face against idolatry (v. 3).

Jehoshaphat takes the prophet seriously. He appoints judges across the land, charging them to administer justice in “the fear of the Lord” and impartially (vv. 4–7). In Jerusalem, he appoints priests, Levites, and some family heads as judges of religious, criminal, and civil matters. They must serve “faithfully and wholeheartedly” (vv. 8–11).

Jehoshaphat’s actions are described as bringing his people back to the Lord (v. 4). In the Chronicler’s view, upholding justice is as authentic an expression of seeking God as attacking idolatry.

Sometime later, a huge army from across the Jordan invades Israel (20:1–2). Jehoshaphat proclaims a fast. From all over Judah, people come to Jerusalem to join him in seeking God. Jehoshaphat stands before them to pray (vv. 6–12): Lord, You are all-powerful. The only reason we even live in this land is that You drove out its inhabitants before us. You see this huge army which is attacking us without cause: judge them as they deserve, for if You will not help us, what can we do?

God’s Spirit speaks through a Levite: Do not be afraid; God will deliver you. You must march towards the enemy, but you will not have to fight; God will defeat them before you. King and people respond with praise (vv. 14–19).

The next morning, they march to the Desert of Tekoa, singing praises to God. God throws the enemy forces into confusion, turning them against each other (vv. 20–23). By the time Judah’s army arrives, only dead bodies can be seen. They take plunder, praise God, and return joyfully to Jerusalem.

The “fear of God” once more falls on the surrounding nations, and Judah is again at peace; God has given Jehoshaphat “rest” (vv. 29–30). The reference to rest reminds us of God’s promise to David and Solomon (see 1 Chronicles 17:9; 22:9).

But not everything is positive. For all of Jehoshaphat’s piety, some high places still remain, and the people “still had not set their hearts on the God of their ancestors” (2 Chronicles 20:33). The last incident reported of Jehoshaphat is another unwise alliance—a joint trading venture with a wicked king of Israel. Again, a prophet condemns this alliance, and this time God’s anger finds concrete expression: the ships are wrecked before they can set sail (vv. 35–37). On this note, the Chronicler’s account of Jehoshaphat ends.

See also 1 Kings 22:41–50.