1 Kings 22:43 – “In everything he followed the ways of his father Asa and did not stray from them; he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. The high places, however, were not removed, and the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.”
Extended Explanation
This verse highlights the overall righteousness of King Jehoshaphat’s reign, describing how he followed in the godly footsteps of his father Asa. Jehoshaphat is praised for doing “what was right in the eyes of the Lord,” meaning that he sought to lead Judah in a way that honored God. However, the verse also acknowledges a shortcoming in Jehoshaphat’s leadership: the high places—sites of unauthorized worship—remained, and the people continued to make sacrifices and burn incense there. This indicates that while Jehoshaphat was faithful in many ways, his reforms were not complete, and the people still engaged in practices that were not fully aligned with God’s law.
Historical Context
Jehoshaphat was the king of Judah, ruling during a time when the kingdom of Israel to the north was in spiritual and moral decline under leaders like Ahab. His father, Asa, had begun religious reforms to remove idolatry from Judah, and Jehoshaphat continued these efforts. His reign is remembered for his commitment to God, his encouragement of the teaching of God’s law, and his attempt to bring the people back to faithful worship. However, despite his efforts, certain remnants of the people’s past practices, such as worship at the high places, persisted. These high places were locations where people offered sacrifices outside of the temple in Jerusalem, which was against God’s instructions.
Theological Implications
Theologically, this verse reflects both the importance of godly leadership and the ongoing struggle to fully purify the nation’s worship. Jehoshaphat is commended for his faithfulness, yet the verse points out that his reforms were not complete. This shows that even the most faithful leaders are imperfect and can leave areas of spiritual weakness unaddressed. The persistence of the high places represents the people’s tendency to hold onto old habits and practices, even when they are not in line with God’s commands. It’s a reminder that full obedience to God requires continual effort and vigilance, both for leaders and for individuals.
Literary Analysis
This verse creates a balance between praise and critique. The first part of the verse emphasizes Jehoshaphat’s righteousness and his commitment to following in the ways of his father Asa, using the phrase “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.” This sets a positive tone. However, the second half introduces a tension, acknowledging that “the high places were not removed.” This literary structure draws attention to the complexity of leadership and faithfulness—Jehoshaphat was a good king, but his reign was not without its flaws. The use of “however” signals a turning point in the verse, adding depth to the assessment of Jehoshaphat’s reign.
Biblical Cross-References
- 1 Kings 15:14 – “Although he did not remove the high places, Asa’s heart was fully committed to the Lord all his life.” This verse about Jehoshaphat’s father, Asa, shows a similar pattern where a godly king did much good but left certain reforms unfinished.
- 2 Chronicles 17:6 – “His heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord; furthermore, he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah.” This verse emphasizes Jehoshaphat’s efforts to eliminate idolatry, although other high places remained.
- Deuteronomy 12:13-14 – “Be careful not to sacrifice your burnt offerings anywhere you please. Offer them only at the place the Lord will choose.” This command explains why the high places were problematic—worship was meant to be centralized in the temple in Jerusalem.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse offers both encouragement and a challenge. It encourages us by showing that Jehoshaphat, despite his imperfections, was considered faithful and did what was right in God’s eyes. This reminds us that God values our sincere efforts to follow Him, even when we fall short in some areas. However, it also challenges us to examine our own lives for “high places”—those areas where we might be holding on to habits or practices that aren’t fully aligned with God’s will. Like Jehoshaphat, we are called to pursue righteousness, but we must also continually seek to address those areas of spiritual compromise.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is evident in the fact that He commended Jehoshaphat for his faithfulness, even though his reforms were incomplete. God recognizes and honors sincere efforts to follow Him, even when those efforts are imperfect. This verse shows that God is patient and merciful, allowing leaders and individuals time to grow in their faith and obedience. God’s love is also reflected in His desire for His people to fully commit to Him. The issue with the high places was that they represented divided loyalties, and God’s love calls His people to wholehearted devotion.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jehoshaphat’s reign, while generally righteous, still fell short of the complete faithfulness and purity that God desired. This points forward to Jesus Christ, who is the only perfect King and Leader. Where Jehoshaphat left some reforms unfinished, Jesus completed the work of salvation and obedience perfectly. Jesus calls His followers to worship in spirit and truth (John 4:23), eliminating all “high places” from our hearts and lives. Jesus not only leads by example in perfect obedience but also empowers His followers through the Holy Spirit to live lives that are fully devoted to God. His death and resurrection removed the barriers to complete relationship with God, something Jehoshaphat’s reforms could not fully achieve.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Are there any “high places” in your life—areas where you are holding on to habits or practices that are not fully aligned with God’s will? How can you work to remove those and dedicate yourself more fully to God?
- How does Jehoshaphat’s example encourage you to strive for righteousness, even though perfection is not always possible?
- In what ways does Jesus’ perfect example of obedience inspire you to pursue deeper devotion to God? How can you rely on His strength to overcome areas of compromise in your own life?