2 Chronicles 20:35 – “Later, Jehoshaphat king of Judah made an alliance with Ahaziah king of Israel, whose ways were wicked.”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
This verse marks a turning point in the story of King Jehoshaphat, a generally faithful and God-fearing king of Judah. Despite his previous faithfulness and dedication to God, this verse tells us that Jehoshaphat made a serious mistake by forming an alliance with Ahaziah, the king of Israel. Ahaziah is described as a wicked ruler, and his behavior was in stark contrast to Jehoshaphat’s commitment to God.
The alliance mentioned here was political in nature, and the specific focus of the alliance was related to a joint venture to build ships for trade (as explained in the following verses). However, this partnership with an ungodly king led to failure. God disapproved of the alliance, and the consequences were soon evident. This verse serves as a warning about the dangers of forming close partnerships with those who do not honor God.
Historical Context
Jehoshaphat was the king of Judah during a time when the nation was often in conflict with its northern neighbor, Israel. The kingdom of Israel was led by a series of kings who, unlike the kings of Judah, consistently abandoned the worship of the true God in favor of idols. Ahaziah, the king mentioned in this verse, was the son of the notorious King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, both of whom were infamous for leading Israel into deep idolatry and rebellion against God.
Jehoshaphat had already made one earlier alliance with King Ahab, Ahaziah’s father, which led to a disastrous military campaign in which Ahab was killed. Despite this previous negative experience, Jehoshaphat again formed an alliance, this time with Ahab’s son Ahaziah, who continued the same wicked practices. Ahaziah’s reign in Israel was characterized by idolatry and disregard for God’s commandments.
While Jehoshaphat was a good and faithful king in many respects, this verse highlights a moment of poor judgment where he aligned himself with someone who was clearly opposed to God’s ways.
Theological Implications
This verse carries a strong warning about the dangers of compromising faith by forming alliances with those who are opposed to God. Jehoshaphat was a man who generally followed God, but his decision to partner with Ahaziah, a wicked king, led to failure and God’s disapproval. This illustrates the principle that even godly people can fall into the trap of compromising their values when they form close partnerships with those who do not share their commitment to God.
From a theological perspective, the verse emphasizes that God’s people are called to be distinct and holy, set apart from the world. Jehoshaphat’s alliance with Ahaziah represents a moment where he failed to maintain that separation, and it resulted in negative consequences. God desires that His people seek Him first in their decisions, rather than relying on unholy alliances for security or success.
This verse also reflects the broader biblical teaching that bad company can corrupt good character (1 Corinthians 15:33). Even someone like Jehoshaphat, who had a history of faithfulness, was influenced by his partnership with a wicked king, and the results were disastrous.
Literary Analysis
This verse serves as a brief but critical narrative shift in the story of Jehoshaphat. Up to this point, Jehoshaphat had been portrayed as a godly king who led the people of Judah in worshiping the true God and sought God’s guidance during times of national crisis. However, this verse introduces a moment of failure, showing that even a faithful king can make poor decisions when influenced by the wrong people.
The phrase “whose ways were wicked” is key to understanding the seriousness of the situation. Ahaziah’s wickedness wasn’t just a minor flaw—it was a fundamental part of his character and leadership. The contrast between Jehoshaphat’s previous faithfulness and this ill-advised alliance creates a sense of tension in the story, showing that even good leaders can fall short when they fail to fully trust in God.
The use of “later” in this verse signals a shift in Jehoshaphat’s story, marking a departure from his earlier success in seeking God and emphasizing the consequences of poor alliances.
Biblical Cross-References
- 1 Corinthians 15:33 – “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.'” This New Testament verse reflects the principle seen in Jehoshaphat’s alliance with Ahaziah. Even a godly person like Jehoshaphat was negatively influenced by forming an alliance with someone whose ways were wicked.
- 2 Corinthians 6:14 – “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” This verse teaches that believers should be cautious about forming close partnerships with those who do not share their faith, much like the mistake Jehoshaphat made with Ahaziah.
- Proverbs 13:20 – “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” This wisdom from Proverbs underscores the danger of aligning with ungodly influences, as seen in Jehoshaphat’s unfortunate decision to partner with Ahaziah.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse serves as a reminder to be careful about who we partner with in life, whether in business, relationships, or other areas. While we are called to love all people and engage with the world around us, we are also warned against forming close alliances with those who live in direct opposition to God’s ways. This doesn’t mean we isolate ourselves, but it does mean that we need to be discerning about who we allow to influence our decisions and actions.
Jehoshaphat’s decision to partner with Ahaziah, despite the latter’s wickedness, resulted in failure. In the same way, when we compromise our faith by aligning ourselves with people or practices that are against God’s will, we risk falling into disobedience and experiencing negative consequences.
This verse encourages us to seek God’s wisdom in all our relationships and decisions. It reminds us that success and blessing come from trusting in God, not from relying on worldly partnerships or compromising our values.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
This verse shows God’s love in a couple of important ways. First, it highlights God’s concern for the well-being of His people. God’s disapproval of Jehoshaphat’s alliance with Ahaziah wasn’t just about punishing a bad decision—it was about protecting Jehoshaphat and the nation of Judah from the negative influence of a wicked king. God’s warnings and guidance are always given out of love, aiming to lead His people into blessing and away from harm.
Secondly, the verse demonstrates that God’s standards are consistent. Even though Jehoshaphat was a faithful king in many respects, God did not overlook his mistake in forming this alliance. This shows that God’s love includes both grace and correction. He lovingly guides His people toward obedience, but He also corrects them when they stray.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse connects to Jesus Christ by pointing to the need for faithful and uncompromised leadership. Jehoshaphat’s failure to remain distinct from the wicked king Ahaziah contrasts sharply with the life of Jesus, who remained perfectly obedient to God throughout His ministry. Where Jehoshaphat made a poor choice by forming an alliance with a wicked king, Jesus consistently rejected the temptation to compromise, even when it would have been easier to gain worldly power.
- Matthew 4:8-10 – In the wilderness, Jesus was tempted by Satan, who offered Him all the kingdoms of the world if He would bow down and worship him. Unlike Jehoshaphat, Jesus rejected the temptation to form an alliance with wickedness, remaining completely faithful to God.
- John 17:16 – Jesus says of His disciples, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.” Jesus teaches that while His followers live in the world, they are called to remain distinct and set apart for God, avoiding the compromises that can lead to spiritual failure.
Jesus is the perfect example of unwavering faithfulness to God, and through His life, death, and resurrection, He empowers us to remain faithful, even when faced with the temptation to compromise.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- What are some areas in your life where you might be tempted to form alliances or partnerships that compromise your faith? How can you seek God’s wisdom in those decisions?
- How does this verse challenge you to evaluate the people who influence your decisions and actions? Are they leading you closer to God or further away?
- In what ways can you ensure that your life remains distinct and set apart for God, even when the world pressures you to compromise?
- How does Jesus’ perfect faithfulness, even in the face of temptation, inspire you to stand firm in your own faith?
- What steps can you take to guard against forming alliances that could lead you away from God’s will for your life?
This verse offers a powerful reminder that we are called to live distinct lives, trusting in God rather than compromising our faith for worldly alliances. Jehoshaphat’s mistake in partnering with a wicked king serves as a warning to seek God’s wisdom and avoid aligning ourselves with influences that oppose His ways. Through Jesus, we have the perfect example of faithfulness, and He gives us the strength to remain steadfast in our commitment to God.