Josaphat

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Jehoshaphat (alternatively spelled Jehosaphat, Josaphat, or Yehoshafat; Hebrew: יְהוֹשָׁפָט‎, Modern: Yəhōšafat, Tiberian: Yŏhōšāp̄āṭ, "Yahweh has judged";

Josaphat, according to 1 Kings 22:41, was the son of Asa, and the fourth king of the Kingdom of Judah, in succession to his father.

Jehoram, who succeeded him as king. His mother was Azubah.

Historically, his name has sometimes been connected with the Valley of Josaphat.


2 Chronicles 17 to 21 are devoted to the reign of Jehoshaphat. 1 Kings 15:24 mentions him as successor to Asa, and 1 Kings 22:1–50 summarizes the events of his life.

He "walked in the ways" of his fathers, King David. He spent the first years of his reign fortifying his kingdom against the Kingdom of Israel. His zeal in suppressing the idolatrous worship of the "high places" is commended in 2 Chronicles 17:6.