|
After the death of Solomon his son Rehoboam became King of Israel. Unlike his father Rehoboam was a wicked King, whose harshness caused the nation to be divided. Ten of the twelve tribes withdrew from his rule and formed the Northern Kingdom, also known as Israel or Ephraim. The two tribes that remained loyal to Rehoboam were Judah and Benjamin. They became known as the Southern Kingdom or Judah.
For many years the two nations were at odds with each other. Asa, the grandson of Rehoboam went to the point of seeking an alliance with Benhadad, the pagan King of Syria. He even paid him from the temple treasury to attack Baasha, the King of Israel. When his son Jehoshaphat succeeded as King the relations between Judah and Israel did improve.
At first you may think this would be a good, but there was a drawback to this. Ahab, the King of Israel tolerated paganism. Ahab’s wife Jezebel was a Princess from Sidon, a nation that worshiped the Phoenician gods Baal and Ashtoreth. And when she became Ahab’s Queen, Jezebel set up many idols throughout Israel honoring these false gods. The Prophet Elijah warned Ahab that he would suffer God's wrath for his toleration of idolatry.
King Asa had driven the idol worshipers out of Judah. This included his grandmother Maachah, who was the daughter of David’s son Absolam. Jehoshaphat continued in his father’s footsteps and earned a reputation as a man who feared God. Even though Ahab had no respect for God, Jehoshaphat still formed an alliance with him.
Ahab decided he wanted to regain the city of Remoth-gileads from Syria. He requested the aid of Jehoshaphat, who granted his request. But Jehoshaphat wanted to seek God’s word before they went into battle. So a group of four hundred prophets were brought before the two Kings. The prophets encouraged them to go and fight. However when Jehoshaphat realized they were false prophets, he requested a Prophet from God. Ahab told him that he knew of one by the name of Micaiah. Ahab stated that he hated Micaiah because of his prophecies against him. Jehoshaphat insisted he be brought before them and Ahab granted his request.
When Micaiah appeared before them he said that Ahab would be victorious in battle. Ahab felt that the Prophet was mocking him and insisted that he be truthful. Micaiah then told him Israel would be defeated and he would be killed. Afterwards Ahab put him in prison for making this prophecy against him. Ahab decided to disguise himself in battle and ask Jehoshaphat to wear his robes as a decoy. Jehoshaphat foolishly went along with Ahab’s plan.
The King of Syria ordered his men to harm no one but the King of Israel. His men took Jeshoshaphat as Ahab and started to pursue him. Jehoshaphat yelled out and the Syrian soldiers withdrew their attack. In the meantime Ahab was struck with an arrow and he ordered his chariot driver to withdraw from the battle. As he watch his army go down in defeat Ahab bled to death. Jehoshaphat returned to Judah unharmed.
The prophet Jehu (Not to be confused with King Jehu) condemned him for his unholy alliance with Ahab. But God spared his life because he had been a good and just King. However the Alliance went beyond military matters. Jehoshaphat’s son Jerom married Ahab’s daughter Athaliah. And like her mother she had a large influence on her husband when he became King.
As King Jerom instituted idolatry and even had his brothers put to death. Elijah predicted God’s wrath for his wickedness. This prophecy was fulfilled when he was struck with bowels which led to his death. Afterwards his son Ahaziah was killed by Jehu (King of Israel).
Athaliah set herself up as the ruler of Judah.
As Queen Athaliah attempted to murder all the men of Royal seed. Only Joash, the one year old son of Ahaziah, escaped Athaliah’s wrath. Jehoshabeth, half-sister to Ahaziah had successfully hid Joash and his nurse. For six years they lived in the temple until Athaliah was overtrown and put to death. As we see the Jehoshaphat’s alliance with Ahab almost led to the destruction of his own family. But the Lord through Jehoshabeth
spared the seed of David.
| 
