in the kingship. (2Ki 1:17; 8:16) The eight years of rulership credited to Jehoram count from 913 B.C.E. (2Ki 8:17) So during these years both the northern and southern kingdoms had rulers with the same name. They were also brothers-in-law because Jehoram of Judah married Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel and sister of Jehoram of Israel.​—2Ki 8:18, 25, 26; see No. 2 above.

At least partially because of the bad influence of his wife Athaliah, Jehoram did not pursue the righteous ways of his father Jehoshaphat. (2Ki 8:18) Not only did Jehoram murder his six brothers and some of the princes of Judah but he also turned his subjects away from Jehovah to false gods. (2Ch 21:1-6, 11-14) His whole reign was marred by both internal trouble and external strife. First, Edom rebelled; then Libnah revolted against Judah. (2Ki 8:20-22) In a letter to Jehoram, the prophet Elijah warned: “Look! Jehovah is dealing a great blow to your people and to your sons and to your wives and to all your goods.” Moreover, you, King Jehoram, “will be with many sicknesses, with a malady of your intestines, until your intestines have come out because of the sickness day by day.”​—2Ch 21:12-15.

It all occurred just that way. Jehovah allowed Arabs and Philistines to overrun the land and take Jehoram’s wives and sons captive. God permitted only Jehoram’s youngest son, Jehoahaz (also called Ahaziah), to escape, a concession made, however, only for the sake of the Kingdom covenant made with David. “After all this Jehovah plagued [Jehoram] in his intestines with a sickness for which there was no healing.” Two years later “his intestines came out” and he gradually died. So ended the life of this wicked man, who “went away without being desired.” He was buried in the City of David, “but not in the burial places of the kings.” Ahaziah his son became king in his stead.​—2Ch 21:7, 16-20; 22:1; 1Ch 3:10, 11.

(Je·ho·shabʹe·ath) [Jehovah Is Plenty].

Daughter of King Jehoram and wife of High Priest Jehoiada. She is also called Jehosheba.​—2Ch 22:10-12; 2Ki 11:1-3; see JEHOSHEBA.

(Je·hoshʹa·phat) [Jehovah Is Judge].

1. Son of Ahilud serving as recorder during the reigns of David and Solomon.​—2Sa 8:16; 20:24; 1Ki 4:3; 1Ch 18:15.

2. One of King Solomon’s 12 deputies. For a month each year this “son of Paruah” supplied the food for the king and his household from the territory of Issachar.​—1Ki 4:7, 17.

3. Son of Judean King Asa by Azubah the daughter of Shilhi. At the age of 35 Jehoshaphat succeeded his father to the throne and ruled for 25 years, from 936 B.C.E. (1Ki 22:42; 2Ch 20:31) His reign was contemporaneous with that of Israelite Kings Ahab, Ahaziah, and Jehoram. (1Ki 22:41, 51; 2Ki 3:1, 2; 2Ch 17:3, 4) It was marked by stability, prosperity, glory, and relative peace with neighboring lands. Jehoshaphat received presents from his subjects and tribute from the Philistines and Arabs.​—2Ch 17:5, 10, 11.

Accomplishments. Jehoshaphat strengthened his position by putting military forces in Judah’s fortified cities, as well as garrisons both in the land of Judah and in the Israelite territory captured by his father Asa. At Jerusalem a large body of valiant warriors served the royal interests; and in Judah, Jehoshaphat built fortified places and storage cities.​—2Ch 17:1, 2, 12-19.

Unlike the Israelite kings of the northern kingdom, Jehoshaphat manifested great concern for true worship. (2Ch 17:4) He commissioned certain princes, Levites, and priests to teach Jehovah’s law in the cities of Judah. (2Ch 17:7-9) Jehoshaphat also sanctified holy offerings (2Ki 12:18) and personally traveled throughout his realm, directing his subjects to return to Jehovah in faithfulness. (2Ch 19:4) Courageously Jehoshaphat continued the campaign against idolatry started by Asa. (1Ki 22:46; 2Ch 17:6) But improper worship at high places was so entrenched among the Israelites that Jehoshaphat’s efforts did not permanently eradicate it.​—1Ki 22:43; 2Ch 20:33.

Jehoshaphat’s reign also witnessed the institution of a better judicial system. The king himself impressed upon the judges the importance of being impartial and free from bribery, since they were judging, not for man, but for Jehovah.​—2Ch 19:5-11.

Jehoshaphat proved himself to be a king who relied on Jehovah. When Judah was threatened by the combined forces of Ammon, Moab, and the mountainous region of Seir, he humbly acknowledged the nation’s weakness in the face of this danger and prayed to Jehovah for help. Thereafter Jehovah fought for Judah by striking confusion into the ranks of the enemy so that they slaughtered one another. Consequently the surrounding nations became fearful, and Judah continued to enjoy peace.​—2Ch 20:1-30.