This is the Bible Book Club, the book of Second Chronicles.

Welcome to the club.

Last episode in chapter 17 through 20, we started with Jehoshaphat as a new king doing everything right. He strengthened Judah

against Israel, and he ordered the Levites to teach the people about God. But then he had a mental

lapse and forged an alliance with the very king of Israel that he was strengthening Judah against.

He married his son to King Ahab's daughter, Athalia. On top of that, he went to war alongside

Ahab. He became the target of the battle and was almost killed. King Jehoshaphat recovered his

trust in God and eventually was faithful in a good king, but for a foolish lapse that will

unfortunately have devastating consequences in this

episode. And that's the purpose of this episode. The chronicler wants to teach the exiles a lesson

about alliances with ungodly men and women. Seed one. A story of how sin can unravel all the good.

Second Chronicles chapter 20 continuing in verse 31. So,

Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah. He was 35 years old when he became king of Judah, and he reigned in

Jerusalem 25 years. His mother's name was Azubah, daughter of Shili. He followed the ways of

his father Asa and did not strike from

them. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. The high places, however, were not removed,

and the people still had not set their hearts on the god of their ancestors. The other events

of Jehoshaphat's reign from beginning to end are written in the Inals of Jehu, son of Hanani,

which are recorded in the book of the kings of Israel. Later, Jehoshaphat, King of Judah,

made an alliance with Ahaziah, King of Israel, whose ways were wicked. He agreed with him to construct a fleet

of trading ships. After these were built on Ezzion

Geber, Eliezer, son of Dodevahu of Marishah, prophesied against Jehoshat, saying,

...