1 Kings 22:44

KJV

And Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Jehoshaphat {H3092} made peace {H7999} with the king {H4428} of Israel {H3478}.

Complete Jewish Bible

(43b) although the high places were not taken away - the people still sacrificed and presented offerings on the high places. Y'hoshafat made peace with the king of Isra'el.

Berean Standard Bible

Jehoshaphat also made peace with the king of Israel.

American Standard Version

And Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Kings 22:44 concisely records a pivotal moment in the history of the divided monarchy: the establishment of a formal peace treaty between King Jehoshaphat of Judah and the contemporary King of Israel, Ahab. This diplomatic move marked a significant shift from decades of hostility between the two Hebrew kingdoms, ushering in a period of alliance that, while seemingly pragmatic for political stability, would ultimately carry profound and negative spiritual consequences for the Southern Kingdom of Judah.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse appears at the conclusion of the account detailing Jehoshaphat's reign in 1 Kings, following a summary of his generally righteous conduct (1 Kings 22:43). Crucially, it immediately precedes the narrative of Jehoshaphat's ill-fated alliance with Ahab, the King of Israel, for a joint military campaign against Ramoth-Gilead (1 Kings 22:1-40). The "peace" mentioned in verse 44 is not merely a cessation of hostilities but a formal agreement that sets the stage for the subsequent military cooperation and the tragic events that unfold, including Ahab's death. It also serves as a literary bridge, explaining the basis for the later intermarriage between the two royal houses, which would plague Judah for generations.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period following the division of Solomon's kingdom (c. 931 BCE) was largely characterized by antagonism between Judah in the south and Israel in the north. This animosity often escalated into open warfare, as seen in the reigns of Rehoboam, Abijam, and Asa. Jehoshaphat (c. 870-845 BCE) was a contemporary of Ahab (c. 874-853 BCE), a notoriously wicked king who, along with his Phoenician wife Jezebel, vigorously promoted Baal worship throughout Israel. In the ancient Near East, political alliances, often cemented by treaties and dynastic marriages, were common strategies for securing borders, gaining trade advantages, or forming coalitions against common enemies like the Arameans (Syrians). Jehoshaphat's decision to "make peace" with Ahab must be understood within this geopolitical landscape, even as it starkly contrasted with Judah's spiritual heritage.
* **Key Themes:** The establishment of peace between Jehoshaphat and Ahab highlights several critical themes. Foremost among them is the tension between **political pragmatism and spiritual purity**. While Jehoshaphat's intentions may have been to secure Judah's borders and foster stability, his alliance with the idolatrous house of Ahab represented a significant spiritual compromise. This decision foreshadows the theme of the **consequences of unequal yoking**, a principle later articulated in the New Testament, where alliances with those who do not share fundamental spiritual values can lead to moral and spiritual erosion. Indeed, this "peace" directly led to the marriage of Jehoshaphat's son Jehoram to Ahab's daughter Athaliah, introducing severe Baal worship into Judah's royal line, as detailed in [2 Kings 8:18](/2_kings/8-18 "2 Kings 8:18 - Jehoram's Wicked Reign"). Furthermore, the verse underscores the complex and often fraught relationship within the **divided kingdom**, where shared heritage often battled against divergent theological and political paths, making periods of genuine peace rare and noteworthy.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **peace (Hebrew, _shalom'_):** The Hebrew word שָׁלוֹם (_shalom_) is far richer than the English "peace," which often denotes merely the absence of conflict. _Shalom_ encompasses a comprehensive sense of completeness, wholeness, well-being, prosperity, harmony, and reconciliation. In this context, it signifies the establishment of a formal, stable, and reconciled relationship between the two kingdoms, moving beyond a state of potential or active hostility to one of agreement and alliance. However, the spiritual context of this particular "peace" with an idolatrous king introduces a profound irony, as true _shalom_ for God's people is rooted in covenant faithfulness, not compromise.
* **made (Hebrew, _'asah'_):** The verb עָשָׂה (_'asah_) means "to make, do, perform, accomplish." Its use here indicates that Jehoshaphat actively and deliberately initiated or agreed to this peace treaty. It was not a passive cessation of hostilities but a conscious, intentional act of forging a new relationship, signifying a strategic political decision on his part.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jehoshaphat made peace":** This clause highlights the agency of King Jehoshaphat of Judah. Despite his generally righteous reign and efforts to promote the worship of Yahweh, he actively pursued a diplomatic resolution and alliance with the Northern Kingdom. This decision reflects a pragmatic political calculation, likely aimed at securing Judah's northern border and potentially forming a united front against common external threats, such as Aram.
* **"with the king of Israel":** This refers specifically to King Ahab, the notoriously wicked ruler of the Northern Kingdom, known for his promotion of Baal worship and persecution of Yahweh's prophets. The identity of "the king of Israel" is crucial, as it immediately signals the problematic nature of this alliance for a king of Judah who was otherwise commended for walking in the ways of David. The text implicitly contrasts Jehoshaphat's personal piety with this politically motivated, yet spiritually compromising, association.

#### Literary Devices
The brevity of 1 Kings 22:44 is a powerful example of **Conciseness** that belies profound implications. The simple statement "And Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel" encapsulates a significant geopolitical shift and foreshadows a cascade of consequences. This verse also employs **Foreshadowing**, subtly hinting at the future troubles that will stem from this alliance. The "peace" established here directly leads to the joint military campaign against Ramoth-Gilead (1 Kings 22), Ahab's death, and more critically, the subsequent intermarriage between the royal houses of Judah and Israel, which introduced severe idolatry into Judah's lineage (2 Kings 8). There is also an element of **Irony** at play: a king largely praised for his righteousness (Jehoshaphat) makes peace with one of the most wicked kings in Israel's history (Ahab), and this "peace" ultimately leads to greater spiritual turmoil for Judah rather than true _shalom_.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The peace treaty between Jehoshaphat and Ahab serves as a potent theological lesson on the dangers of compromising spiritual principles for political expediency or worldly gain. While peace is a biblical ideal, the nature of this particular alliance—between a king striving for righteousness and one steeped in idolatry—demonstrates that not all "peace" is beneficial or blessed by God. It underscores the importance of discerning partnerships and the potential for even well-intentioned compromises to lead to spiritual erosion and divine displeasure. This narrative reminds believers that true security and prosperity are found in unwavering faithfulness to God, rather than in alliances that necessitate a dilution of one's convictions.

* [2 Chronicles 19:2](/2_chronicles/19-2 "2 Chronicles 19:2 - Jehu's Rebuke of Jehoshaphat")
* [2 Corinthians 6:14](/2_corinthians/6-14 "2 Corinthians 6:14 - Do Not Be Unequally Yoked")
* [Proverbs 13:20](/proverbs/13-20 "Proverbs 13:20 - Walk with the Wise")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Jehoshaphat's peace with Ahab offers invaluable insights for contemporary believers navigating a complex world. It challenges us to critically examine our alliances and partnerships, whether in personal relationships, professional endeavors, or ministry contexts. While unity and harmony are desirable, the narrative of Jehoshaphat serves as a stark reminder that compromise on core spiritual values, even with seemingly good intentions like fostering peace or achieving stability, can lead to unforeseen and detrimental long-term consequences. We are called to be in the world but not of the world, maintaining our distinctiveness as followers of Christ. This means discerning when collaboration is appropriate and when it might lead to an "unequal yoking" that compromises our fidelity to God. Our ultimate peace and security come from aligning fully with God's will and wisdom, not from human alliances that require spiritual dilution.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I discern between a healthy, God-honoring collaboration and an "unequally yoked" partnership that might compromise my faith?**
* **In what areas of my life (relationships, career, social circles) might I be tempted to compromise spiritual principles for the sake of peace, popularity, or perceived gain?**
* **What are the potential long-term spiritual consequences of short-term compromises, and how can I cultivate a greater reliance on God's wisdom in my decisions?**

### FAQ
**Was this alliance a good decision for Jehoshaphat?**

Answer: From a purely political and military standpoint, the alliance might have appeared pragmatic, offering Judah security against northern threats and potentially strengthening both kingdoms. However, from a biblical and theological perspective, it was a deeply flawed decision that brought divine displeasure. Jehoshaphat, a king who largely "walked in the ways of David his father" ([1 Kings 22:43](/1_kings/22-43 "1 Kings 22:43 - Jehoshaphat's Righteous Reign")), chose to ally himself with Ahab, a notoriously wicked king who promoted Baal worship throughout Israel. This "peace" led to a disastrous joint military campaign against Ramoth-Gilead ([1 Kings 22:29-36](/1_kings/22-29 "1 Kings 22:29-36 - The Battle for Ramoth-Gilead")), and more significantly, it paved the way for the marriage of Jehoshaphat's son Jehoram to Ahab's daughter Athaliah, which introduced severe idolatry into the royal house of Judah ([2 Kings 8:18](/2_kings/8-18 "2 Kings 8:18 - Jehoram's Wickedness")). The prophet Jehu later rebuked Jehoshaphat directly for this alliance, asking, "Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord?" ([2 Chronicles 19:2](/2_chronicles/19-2 "2 Chronicles 19:2 - Jehu's Rebuke")). Thus, while it achieved a temporary political peace, it led to long-term spiritual and dynastic turmoil for Judah.

**Who was the "king of Israel" at this time?**

Answer: The "king of Israel" with whom Jehoshaphat made peace was King Ahab. Ahab was one of the most wicked kings to rule the Northern Kingdom of Israel, infamous for his idolatry, particularly his promotion of Baal worship, under the influence of his Phoenician wife, Jezebel. His reign is characterized by a significant decline in Israel's spiritual fidelity, marked by the prophetic ministry of Elijah and Elisha who confronted his wickedness. The fact that Jehoshaphat, a king of Judah who largely sought to follow the Lord, entered into a peace treaty and alliance with such an ungodly ruler highlights the profound spiritual compromise inherent in the arrangement recorded in [1 Kings 22:44](/1_kings/22-44 "1 Kings 22:44 - Jehoshaphat Makes Peace").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The flawed peace forged by Jehoshaphat in 1 Kings 22:44, born of political necessity and leading to spiritual compromise, ultimately points to the perfect and lasting peace offered through Jesus Christ. While Jehoshaphat sought to secure his kingdom through human alliances, Christ is the true [Prince of Peace](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - The Prince of Peace") who establishes an eternal covenant of peace, not through political maneuvering, but through His atoning sacrifice. He is our [Shalom](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace"), breaking down the dividing wall of hostility—not merely between warring nations, but between humanity and God, and between Jew and Gentile. Unlike the temporary and corrupted peace of human treaties, Christ's peace brings genuine [reconciliation](/2_corinthians/5-19 "2 Corinthians 5:19 - God Reconciling the World to Himself") and wholeness, transforming hearts and bringing us into right relationship with God and one another. His kingdom is not built on pragmatic compromises with unrighteousness, but on righteousness, justice, and the power of the Holy Spirit, offering a peace that surpasses all understanding and endures forever ([Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - The Peace of God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Kings 8:18

And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab: for the daughter of Ahab was his wife: and he did evil in the sight of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 19:2

And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore [is] wrath upon thee from before the LORD.

1 Kings 22:2

And it came to pass in the third year, that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel.

2 Chronicles 21:6

And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought [that which was] evil in the eyes of the LORD.

2 Corinthians 6:14

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?