Jehoshaphat was one of Judah’s finest kings. He sought after God, walking in the ways of David his forefather. He removed idolatry throughout the land. He made sure that his people were taught the law of the Lord. When attacked by a confederation of hostile armies, he led his people in seeking the face of the Lord and later in praising Him for the victory. His prayer on that occasion vibrates with rich instruction for us.

But Jehoshaphat had a besetting sin: he allied himself with Ahab, Israel’s most wicked king. Their children were united in marriage and he became involved with Ahab in a disastrous war against Syria. As they planned the military campaign, this godly man sat passively by while the 400 false prophets of King Ahab rambled on, and worse, while Micaiah, the true prophet of God, was persecuted for speaking the truth.

In summary, through this wrong association, Jehoshaphat compromised his family and his kingdom, became involved in a wrong war, exposed himself to false prophets, allied himself with the persecution of God’s true prophet, and would have lost his life except for God’s special mercy in delivering him. It is easy to ask why such a godly man would get involved in this way. Perhaps we would do better to search our own hearts about our wrong involvements. If there are associations in our lives which dishonor the Lord, let’s break them off and lay hold upon our Lord’s lovely promise to those who separate from evil, “I will receive you; and I will be to you for a Father” (2 Cor. 6:17–18). What other relationship can compare with this?