Log inSign up

2 Chronicles 20 · a question people ask

1 Kings says Jehoshaphat wouldn't let Ahaziah's servants go with his in the ships. Why does 2 Chronicles say he joined himself with Ahaziah?

In the text

1 Kings says, "Jehoshaphat made ships of Tarshish to go to Ophir for gold, but they didn’t go, for the ships wrecked at Ezion Geber" (1 Kings 22:48). "Then Ahaziah the son of Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, “Let my servants go with your servants in the ships.” But Jehoshaphat would not" (1 Kings 22:49). 2 Chronicles says, "After this, Jehoshaphat king of Judah joined himself with Ahaziah king of Israel" (20:35), "He joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish. They made the ships in Ezion Geber" (20:36), and that Eliezer prophesied, "Because you have joined yourself with Ahaziah, the LORD has destroyed your works" (20:37). "The ships were wrecked, so that they were not able to go to Tarshish" (20:37). Both books say the ships were wrecked. Neither explains how its account and the other's fit together, and these notes don't either; 1 Kings 22 sets the same verses side by side.

The verses

“Jehoshaphat made ships of Tarshish to go to Ophir for gold, but they didn’t go, for the ships wrecked at Ezion Geber. Then Ahaziah the son of Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, “Let my servants go with your servants in the ships.” But Jehoshaphat would not.”
1 Kings 22:48-49 · World English Bible
“After this, Jehoshaphat king of Judah joined himself with Ahaziah king of Israel. The same did very wickedly. He joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish. They made the ships in Ezion Geber. Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have joined yourself with Ahaziah, the LORD has destroyed your works.” The ships were wrecked, so that they were not able to go to Tarshish.”
2 Chronicles 20:35-37 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of 2 Chronicles 20

2 Chronicles 20: Our eyes are on you

Jehoshaphat's prayer ends, "We don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on you" (20:12), and the LORD's answer uses the words Moses spoke at the sea, "stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD" (20:17). And Beracah Valley is named for what happened there: "there they blessed the LORD" (20:26).

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

Start your free week2 Chronicles 20 Bible study

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about 2 Chronicles 20

All questions about 2 Chronicles →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions