1 Kings 22:41-50

GOD’S WORD Translation

King Jehoshaphat of Judah^(A)

⁴¹ Jehoshaphat, son of Asa, became king of Judah in Ahab’s fourth year as king of Israel. ⁴² Jehoshaphat was 35 years old when he began to rule, and he ruled for 25 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Azubah, daughter of Shilhi. ⁴³ Jehoshaphat carefully followed the example his father Asa had set and did what the Lord considered right. ⁴⁴ But the illegal worship sites were not torn down. The people continued to sacrifice and burn incense at these worship sites.^[a] Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel.

⁴⁵ Isn’t everything else about Jehoshaphat—the heroic acts he did and ⌞the wars⌟ he fought—written in the official records of the kings of Judah? ⁴⁶ He rid the land of the male temple prostitutes who were left there from the time of his father Asa. ⁴⁷ There was no king in Edom; instead, a deputy ruled.

⁴⁸ Jehoshaphat made Tarshish-style ships to go to Ophir for gold. But they didn’t go because the ships were wrecked at Ezion Geber. ⁴⁹ Then Ahaziah, son of Ahab, said to Jehoshaphat, “Let my servants go with your servants in the ships.” But Jehoshaphat refused.

⁵⁰ Jehoshaphat lay down in death with his ancestors and was buried with them in the city of his ancestor David. His son Jehoram succeeded him as king.