2 Chronicles 17:3–5: “Now the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the former ways of his father David; he did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father, and walked in His commandments and not according to the acts of Israel. Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat, and he had riches and honor in abundance.”

October 4th, 2023 by Pastor Ed in devotional

Jehoshaphat, the 4th king of Judah, was a powerful and godly king. He followed the ways of his great-grandfather King David and sought God, so the Lord blessed him and established his kingdom. The nation of Judah grew strong and prospered under his reign, but the biggest legacy he left behind was the spiritual revival that came to the nation. Sadly, Jehoshaphat let his guard down by hanging out with the godless King Ahab. His social ties were too strong and too close to enable him to differentiate between friend and foe, and his judgment became clouded.

There is an old fable that illustrates this danger. A scorpion, being a poor swimmer, asked a turtle to carry him on his back across a river. “Are you crazy?” exclaimed the turtle. “You’ll sting me while I’m swimming and I’ll drown.” “My dear turtle,” laughed the scorpion, “if I were to sting you, you would drown, and I would go down with you. Now, where is the logic in that?” “You’re right,” cried the turtle. “Hop on!” The scorpion climbed aboard and halfway across the river gave the turtle a mighty sting. As they both sank to the bottom, the turtle said resignedly, “Do you mind if I ask you something? You said there was no logic in your stinging me. Why did you do it?” “It has nothing to do with logic,” the drowning scorpion replied sadly, “It’s just what is in my heart.”

“LORD, help us to pick our friends wisely and trust You above all others.”

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2 Chronicles 17 KJV

¹ And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel. ² And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken. ³ And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;  ⁴ But sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel. ⁵ Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance.  ⁶ And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.  ⁷ Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Ben-hail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah. ⁸ And with them he sent Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests. ⁹ And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the LORD with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people. ¹⁰ And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.  ¹¹ Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats. ¹² And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store.  ¹³ And he had much business in the cities of Judah: and the men of war, mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem. ¹⁴ And these arethe numbers of them according to the house of their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah the chief, and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand. ¹⁵ And next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand.  ¹⁶And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the LORD; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour. ¹⁷ And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand. ¹⁸ And next him wasJehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war. ¹⁹ These waited on the king, beside those whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah.