Je'Hosh'A'Phat (God is Judge) was the son of Judah King A'Sa by Azub'Ah the daughter of Shil'Hi. At the age of 35 he succeeded his father to the throne. His reign was contemporaneous with that of Israelite Kings Ah'Ab, Ahazi'Ah, and Je'Ho'Ram.
Je'Hosh'A'Phat' s reign was marked by stability, prosperity, glory, and relative peace with neighboring lands. He received presents from his subjects and tribute from the Philistines, and Arabs.
As King of Judah, he strengthened his position by putting military forces in his fortified cities, and garrisons both in the land of Judah and in Israelite territory captured by his father. Also he built more fortified places and storages.
At Jerusalem a large body of valiant warriors served the royal interests.
Je'Hosh'A'Phat manifested a great concern for true worship and commissioned certain princes, Levites and priests to teach God's Law in the cities of Judah. He also sanctified Holy Offerings and personally traveled throughout his spiritual realm, directing his subjects to return to God's worship in faithfulness.
Courageously he continued the campaign against idolatry started by A'Sa, his father, and high places, sacred poles, and the remaining Male Temple Prostitutes began to disappear from his dominion. But improper worship at high places was so entrenched among the Israelites that Je'Hosh'A'Phat 's efforts did not completely and permanently eradicate it.
His reign witnessed the institution of a better Judicial System. The king himself impressed upon the judges the importance of being impartial and free from bribery, since they were judging, not form man, but for the God of Israel. He proved himself to be a king who relied fully on God.
When Judah was threatened by the combined forces of Ammon, Moab, and the mountainous region of Se'Ir, he humbly acknowledged the nation's weakness in the face of this danger and prayed to God for help. Thereafter God fought for Judah by striking confusion into the ranks' mind of the enemy so that they slaughtered one another. Consequently the surrounding nations became fearful and Judah continued to enjoy peace. 2 Chronicles 20.
Je'Hosh'A'Phat maintained peace with the Northern Kingdom and formed a marriage alliance with Ah'Ab. For this reason on several occasions he was drawn into other alliances with them. During a visit in the northern kingdom sometime after the marriage of Ahab's daughter Atha'Liah to his first born Je'Ho'Ram, he agreed to accompany king Ahab in a military venture to recover Ramot-Gilead from the Syrians. However, before actually starting out, Je'Hosh'A'Phat requested that Ahab inquire of God's guidance. 400 prophets assured Ahab of success. But God's true prophet Mica'Iah, hated by Ahab but called at Je'Hosh'A'Phat's insistence, foretold certain defeat. Nevertheless, Je'Hosh'A'Phat, keeping his word in going with Ahab to the venture, went into battle dressed in his royal garments. Ahab had taken the precaution to disguise himself, making the Syrians belief that Je'Hosh'A'Phat was Israel's king, and therefore subjected him to the heaviest attack. Je'Hosh'A'Phat barely escaped with his life, and Ahab, despite the disguise, was mortally wounded.
Upon retuned to Jerusalem, Je'Hosh'A'Phat was censured for unwisely allying himself with wicked Ahab, the visionary Jehu saying to him: "Is it to the wicked that help is to be given, and is it for those hating God that you should have love? And for this there is indignation against you from the person of God."
Later, Je'Hosh'A'Phat became partner to King Ahaz'Iah, Ahab's successor, in a shipbuilding enterprise at Ezion-Geber on the Gulf of Aqabah. But God disapproved of this maritime alliance with wicked Ahaz'Iah. Therefore, in fulfillment of prophecy, the ships were wrecked.
Sometime after this Je'Hosh'A'Phat joined Ahaz'Iah's successor to the throne, Je'Ho'Ram, and the king of Edom in a military offensive to put down Moabite King Mesha's revolt against the 10-tribe kingdom.
But the armies of the alliance became entrapped in a waterless wilderness. Je'Hosh'A'Phat therefore called for a prophet of God. Only out of regard for Je'Hosh'A'Phat did the prophet Elisha seek divine inspiration, and his subsequent advice saved the 3 kings and their armies from disaster.
While Je'Hosh'A'Phat was still alive he gave the kingship to his firstborn Je'Ho'Ram, but to his other sons he gave precious gifts and fortified cities in Judah.
Particularly after Je'Hosh'A'Phat's death and burial in the city of David did the marriage alliance with the House of Ahab prove to be disastrous for the kingdom of Judah. Under the influence of Athaliah, Je'Ho'Ram abandoned the Right Course of his father and revived idolatrous practices.
In the Book of Joel, chapter 3, evidently, the Low Plain of Je'Hosh'A'Phat, is a symbolic place, also called the Low Plain of the Decision. Since it relates to God's execution of Judgment, it is appropriately designated using the name of Je'Hosh'A'Phat that encircle the meaning 'God is Judge.' Also, during his reign God delivered Judah and Jerusalem from the combined forces of 3 huge military forces of Ammon, Moab, and the mountainous region of Se'Ir, causing the enemy forces to become confused and to slaughter one another.
The low plain itself serves as a huge symbolic winepress for crushing the nations like bunches of grapes.
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