'And this work of preparing or directing his heart is here ascribed to Jehoshaphat, as elsewhere it is attributed to God, Proverbs 16:1 Philippians 2:13, because it is man's action, but performed by God's grace, preventing, enabling, and inclining him to do it.' (Poole)ġ. This demonstrated the high priority Jehoshaphat placed on seeking God. And have prepared your heart to seek God: Not only did Jehoshaphat seek God, but he also prepared his heart to do so. That you have removed the wooden images from the land: God knew that Jehoshaphat did not approve of all evil, so He encouraged the king in the places where he did hate evil and refuse compromise. Nevertheless good things are found in you: God did not want Jehoshaphat to be crushed by the rebuke through the words of Jehu, so He included a word of encouragement. ' Love and hate in this context are formal terms for actions within a covenant or treaty relationship rather than emotional feelings, and help is a typical Chronicles expression for formal support.' (Selman)Ĭ. Jehoshaphat should have read and considered Psalm 97:10: You who love the LORD, hate evil!

He should never have entered his personal and military alliances with Ahab and the kingdom of Israel. He professed to love God, but he also demonstrated love to those who hate the LORD. Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Jehu exposed the sin of too much love in Jehoshaphat. The son Jehu also prophesied to Baasha the king of Israel ( 1 Kings 16:1, 16:7).ī. Jehu the son of Hanani: His father was a brave prophet, speaking to king Asa. Nevertheless good things are found in you, in that you have removed the wooden images from the land, and have prepared your heart to seek God.'Ī. ( 2Ch 19:2-3) God rebukes Jehoshaphat through Jehu the prophet.Īnd Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to King Jehoshaphat, 'Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Therefore the wrath of the LORD is upon you. It contrasts his fate with Ahab's, and testifies to God's grace given to a person who was almost destroyed by undiscerning folly.' (Selman)Ģ. 'The fact that Jehoshaphat reached home safely is significant. Yet he cried out to the LORD and was preserved, returning safely to his house in Jerusalem.

Jehoshaphat, clothed in the robes of the king targeted for death by the army of Syria, should have been killed in battle. Then Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned safely: This was the mercy of God. Then Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned safely to his house in Jerusalem.Ī.

( 2Ch 19:1) He returns safely after the battle.

Be brave 2 chronicles 20