1After this, the people of Moab, Ammon, and some people from Mount Seir came to fight against Jehoshaphat.
2Then someone came and told Jehoshaphat, “A huge army is coming against you from across the Dead Sea, from Syria. Look, they are already in Hazazon Tamar” (which is also called En Gedi).
3Jehoshaphat was afraid, so he decided to seek help from Yahweh. He announced a fast for everyone in Judah.
4People from all the cities of Judah gathered to seek help from Yahweh. They came to seek Yahweh.
5Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in Yahweh’s house, in front of the new courtyard.
6He said, “Yahweh, the God of our ancestors, aren’t you God in heaven? Don’t you rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in your hand, so no one can stand against you.
7Didn’t you, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it to the descendants of Abraham, your friend, forever?
8They lived in it and built you a sanctuary there for your name, saying,
9‘If evil comes upon us—whether sword, judgment, plague, or famine—we will stand before this house, and before you (for your name is present in this house), and cry out to you in our trouble, and you will hear and save us.’
10Now look, the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir are attacking us. When Israel came out of Egypt, you would not let them invade these nations, so Israel turned away from them and did not destroy them.
11See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of your property, which you have given us to inherit.
12Our God, won’t you judge them? We have no strength against this large army that is coming against us. We don’t know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.”
13All the people of Judah stood before Yahweh: men, women, and children.
14Then, in the middle of the assembly, the Spirit of Yahweh came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite from the family of Asaph.
15Jahaziel said, "Listen, all Judah, and you residents of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Yahweh says to you: 'Don't be afraid or discouraged by this great army, because the battle is not yours, but God's.
16Tomorrow, go down and confront them. They are coming up through the Ziz Pass, and you will find them at the end of the valley, in front of the wilderness of Jeruel.
17You will not need to fight in this battle. Just take your positions, stand still, and see the victory Yahweh will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Don't be afraid or discouraged. Go out to meet them tomorrow, for Yahweh is with you.'"
18Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the people of Jerusalem fell down in worship before Yahweh.
19The Levites from the Kohathite and Korahite families stood up to praise Yahweh, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.
20They got up early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. As they left, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Believe in Yahweh your God, and you will be safe! Believe his prophets, and you will succeed!"
21After consulting with the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to Yahweh and to praise him in holy clothing as they marched ahead of the army, saying, "Give thanks to Yahweh, for his faithful love endures forever."
22As they began to sing and praise, Yahweh set ambushes against the forces of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who were attacking Judah, and they were defeated.
23The armies of Ammon and Moab attacked the inhabitants of Mount Seir, completely destroying them. After they had finished with the people of Seir, they turned on each other and began to destroy one another.
24When Judah reached the watchtower overlooking the wilderness, they looked at the vast army, and all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped.
25When Jehoshaphat and his people came to collect the valuable items, they found a great abundance of riches, clothing, and precious jewels among the dead bodies—more than they could carry away. They spent three days collecting the plunder because there was so much.
26On the fourth day, they gathered in the Valley of Beracah (which means 'blessing') and blessed Yahweh there. That is why that place is called the Valley of Beracah to this day.
27Then all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned, with Jehoshaphat leading them, joyful to go back to Jerusalem, because Yahweh had given them reason to rejoice over their enemies.
28They came to Jerusalem and went to Yahweh's temple with harps, lyres, and trumpets.
29The fear of God came upon all the kingdoms of the surrounding countries when they heard that Yahweh had fought against the enemies of Israel.
30So the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was peaceful, because his God gave him rest on all sides.
31Jehoshaphat began to rule over Judah when he was thirty-five years old, and he reigned for twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Azubah daughter of Shilhi.
32He followed the path of his father Asa and did not turn away from it, doing what was right in Yahweh's eyes.
33However, the places of worship on elevated ground were not removed, and the people still had not fully committed themselves to the God of their ancestors.
34As for the rest of Jehoshaphat’s reign, from beginning to end, it is recorded in the history written by Jehu, the son of Hanani, which is found in the Book of the Kings of Israel.
35After this, King Jehoshaphat of Judah became allies with King Ahaziah of Israel. Ahaziah was a very wicked man.
36Jehoshaphat joined with Ahaziah to build ships meant to travel to Tarshish. They built the ships in Ezion Geber.
37Then Eliezer, the son of Dodavahu from Mareshah, prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, Yahweh has ruined your work.” The ships were destroyed and could not sail to Tarshish.