1. Name and Meaning
• Name: Jehoshaphat (Hebrew: יְהוֹשָׁפָט, Yəhôšāphāṭ)
• Meaning: “The Lord judges” or “Yahweh has judged”; reflects divine justice and royal responsibility

2. Genealogical Placement and Lineage Role
• Position: Thirty-eighth generation from Adam; twenty-eighth generation after the flood in the Messianic line
• Father: Asa – reforming king of Judah
• Son: Jehoram (Joram) – succeeded him in the Davidic line
• Lineage Role: Fourth king of Judah; known for strengthening the nation spiritually and politically, preserving the Davidic heritage

3. Life Summary and Historical Setting
• Reigned 25 years in Jerusalem (c. 873–848 BC) during a period of relative peace and prosperity (1 Kings 22:41; 2 Chronicles 17:1)
• Initiated religious reforms and sent officials to teach the Law throughout Judah (2 Chronicles 17:7–9)
• Formed diplomatic alliances with the northern kingdom of Israel, including through the marriage of his son Jehoram to Ahab’s daughter Athaliah—later leading to negative consequences
• Trusted God in major crises, notably during the battle against Moab and Ammon, when the Lord delivered Judah without military conflict (2 Chronicles 20)

4. Theological and Christological Significance
• Represents covenantal leadership rooted in justice and instruction in God’s Word
• His reliance on God in warfare prefigures Christ’s model of spiritual victory through trust rather than force
• His reign affirms God’s faithfulness to those who seek Him, even amidst political complexity
• Contributed to the continuation of the Messianic line, although his compromise in alliances weakened Judah’s future

5. Legacy and Interpretive Reflections
• Praised in Scripture for his heart for God and national discipleship
• Criticised for ungodly alliances that eventually led to the rise of Athaliah, who sought to destroy the royal line
• Remembered as a godly ruler who promoted worship and legal justice, though his political decisions introduced long-term risks
• Appears in Matthew’s genealogy of Christ (Matthew 1:8)

6. Summary Insight
• Jehoshaphat was a godly king who strengthened Judah spiritually and judicially—his reign affirms God’s blessing on covenant faithfulness, even amid political missteps.

7. Biblical References
• 1 Kings 22:41–50
• 2 Chronicles 17–20
• Matthew 1:8