Jehoshaphat was a king of Judah renowned for walking in the first ways of his father David and seeking the LORD; he sent officials, Levites, and priests throughout Judah with the Book of the Law to teach the people, and he insisted on inquiring of the word of the LORD in times of crisis.
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During his reign, Scripture records that the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father David and did not seek the Baals. He removed foreign cultic objects such as the Asherah from the land and sent his officials, Levites, and priests throughout the cities of Judah carrying the Book of the Law of Moses to teach the people. He also appointed judges in the fortified cities, charging them to judge faithfully on behalf of the LORD with justice and reverence for God, demonstrating both faithfulness and integrity in his rule. Later, the children of Moab, the children of Ammon, and some of the Meunim came together against Jehoshaphat for battle. In this moment of crisis, Jehoshaphat resolved to seek the LORD's guidance, refusing to rely merely on human strategy and insisting first on inquiring of the word of the LORD. This dependence on God rather than on military alliances became the defining moment of his reign and is remembered as a paradigm of ruling under divine sovereignty. Jehoshaphat's life testifies to God's presence with those who wholeheartedly seek Him. His commitment to teaching the Law and governing in piety strengthened Judah in both faith and order, making him one of the few kings after the united kingdom era who is evaluated positively in the biblical record.