1 Kings 22:50

KJV

And Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Jehoram his son reigned in his stead.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Jehoshaphat {H3092} slept {H7901} with his fathers {H1}, and was buried {H6912} with his fathers {H1} in the city {H5892} of David {H1732} his father {H1}: and Jehoram {H3088} his son {H1121} reigned {H4427} in his stead.

Complete Jewish Bible

So Y'hoshafat slept with his ancestors and was buried with his ancestors in the City of David his ancestor, and Y'horam his son became king in his place.

Berean Standard Bible

And Jehoshaphat rested with his fathers and was buried with them in the city of his father David. And his son Jehoram reigned in his place.

American Standard Version

And Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father; And Jehoram his son reigned in his stead.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 22:50 succinctly records the conclusion of King Jehoshaphat's reign over Judah, marking his death, burial in the royal necropolis of Jerusalem, and the immediate succession of his son, Jehoram. This verse serves as a formulaic transition within the Deuteronomistic history, emphasizing the transient nature of human rule while affirming the continuity of the Davidic dynasty and the orderly progression of leadership within God's sovereign plan for His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse brings to a close the narrative arc concerning King Jehoshaphat in the book of 1 Kings. Preceding it, chapter 22 details Jehoshaphat's controversial alliance with King Ahab of Israel, particularly their joint military campaign against Ramoth-gilead. Despite the prophet Micaiah's clear warning of Ahab's demise, Jehoshaphat accompanied Ahab into battle, narrowly escaping death himself ([1 Kings 22:32](/1_kings/22-32 "1 Kings 22:32 - Jehoshaphat's Near Death")). The preceding verses describe Ahab's death and the subsequent return of Jehoshaphat to Jerusalem. Thus, 1 Kings 22:50 functions as a formal obituary, concluding Jehoshaphat's story in this book and preparing the reader for the transition to his son's reign, which will be further detailed in 2 Kings, picking up the narrative thread of both Judah and Israel.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah in the 9th century BC, a period marked by significant political and religious challenges. His reign, largely portrayed positively in 2 Chronicles, saw efforts to reform Judah's religious practices and strengthen its defenses. The phrase "slept with his fathers" is a common, respectful euphemism for death used throughout the books of Kings and Chronicles, particularly for monarchs. It signifies a natural, peaceful passing and the joining of one's ancestors, implying a legitimate and accepted end to their rule. Burial in the "city of David" (Jerusalem) was the customary and honorable resting place for the kings of Judah, underscoring their legitimate claim to the throne and their connection to the foundational covenant with David ([2 Samuel 7:12](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12 - Davidic Covenant Promise")). This practice reinforced the continuity and stability of the Davidic monarchy.
* **Key Themes:** The verse encapsulates several enduring themes. Firstly, it highlights the **inevitability of death and succession** for all human leaders, regardless of their piety or power. Even a king like Jehoshaphat, who generally "walked in the ways of David his father" ([1 Kings 22:43](/1_kings/22-43 "1 Kings 22:43 - Jehoshaphat's Righteous Reign")), must yield to the natural order. Secondly, it underscores the **continuity of the Davidic covenant and lineage**. Jehoshaphat's burial in the "city of David" and the immediate succession of Jehoram affirm God's faithfulness to His promise to David that his house and kingdom would endure ([2 Samuel 7:16](/2_samuel/7-16 "2 Samuel 7:16 - Davidic Dynasty Endures")). This continuity was crucial for the eventual coming of the Messiah. Thirdly, the verse subtly points to the **legacy of a ruler**. While concise, it prompts reflection on the impact of Jehoshaphat's reign, which, despite some compromises (like the alliance with Ahab), was largely characterized by devotion to the Lord, as detailed more extensively in [2 Chronicles 17-20](/2_chronicles/17 "2 Chronicles 17-20 - Jehoshaphat's Reign and Reforms").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **slept (Hebrew, _shakav'_):** This verb literally means "to lie down" or "to sleep." In this context, it functions as a widely used euphemism in the Old Testament for death, particularly for kings and patriarchs. It conveys a sense of peaceful, natural passing, as opposed to a violent or untimely end. The idiom "slept with his fathers" suggests joining one's ancestors in the realm of the dead, emphasizing the common human experience of mortality.
* **fathers (Hebrew, _'avot'_):** Refers to ancestors or forefathers. When used in the phrase "slept with his fathers," it signifies joining the lineage of deceased family members, implying a continuity of identity even in death and a legitimate place within the ancestral line. For kings, it also reinforces their connection to the royal lineage.
* **city of David (Hebrew, _'ir David'_):** This is a specific designation for Jerusalem, particularly the ancient fortified core captured by King David ([2 Samuel 5:7](/2_samuel/5-7 "2 Samuel 5:7 - David Captures Jerusalem")). It served as the capital of Judah and the designated burial ground for its kings. Burial here underscored the king's legitimate rule, his connection to the Davidic covenant, and his place within the sacred history of God's chosen people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers":** This clause formally announces the death of King Jehoshaphat. The use of the euphemism "slept with his fathers" indicates a natural and peaceful end to his life, contrasting with the violent deaths often recorded for other kings. It places his death within the established pattern of royal succession in Israel and Judah, signifying the completion of his earthly reign.
* **"and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father":** This part specifies the location of Jehoshaphat's burial. Being buried "with his fathers" in the "city of David" (Jerusalem) confirms his legitimate status as a king of the Davidic line. This was the traditional royal necropolis for the kings of Judah, and burial there was a mark of honor and an affirmation of his rightful place within the covenant lineage initiated by King David. It reinforces the idea of continuity and the enduring nature of the Davidic dynasty.
* **"and Jehoram his son reigned in his stead":** This final clause announces the immediate and orderly succession of Jehoshaphat's son, Jehoram, to the throne. This formulaic statement ensures the reader understands that there is no power vacuum or dispute over the kingship. It highlights the smooth transition of authority, maintaining the stability of the monarchy and the fulfillment of the promise of a continuous line of Davidic rulers.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Euphemism**, specifically in the phrase "slept with his fathers." This polite, indirect expression for death avoids the starkness of the word "died," presenting the end of life as a peaceful rest. This is a common **Formulaic Language** used throughout the books of Kings and Chronicles to mark the end of a monarch's reign, providing a consistent and recognizable pattern for the reader. The phrase also subtly uses **Metonymy**, where "fathers" stands for the collective ancestors or the ancestral line, emphasizing the king's integration into the historical and dynastic continuity. Furthermore, "city of David" functions as a **Synecdoche**, where a part (the royal burial ground in Jerusalem) represents the whole (the entire Davidic kingdom and covenant), underscoring the theological and political significance of the burial place.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Kings 22:50, though brief, is rich with theological significance. It underscores the profound truth of human mortality and the transient nature of all earthly power, even that of divinely appointed kings. God's sovereignty remains supreme, orchestrating the rise and fall of rulers according to His eternal plan. The orderly succession from Jehoshaphat to Jehoram, and Jehoshaphat's burial in the "city of David," powerfully affirm the unwavering faithfulness of God to His covenant with David ([2 Samuel 7:12](/2_samuel/7-12 "God's Covenant with David")). Despite the flaws and compromises of individual kings, the divine promise to maintain a perpetual lamp for David's house continued to be fulfilled, pointing forward to the ultimate King.

* [1 Kings 2:10](/1_kings/2-10 "1 Kings 2:10 - David's Death and Burial")
* [1 Kings 11:43](/1_kings/11-43 "1 Kings 11:43 - Solomon's Death and Burial")
* [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - The Davidic Covenant")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The quiet finality of 1 Kings 22:50 serves as a profound reminder of life's brevity and the inevitable end of all earthly reigns and endeavors. Like Jehoshaphat, whose reign was marked by both devotion and compromise, our lives are finite, and our time to impact the world for God's kingdom is limited. This verse calls us to consider our own legacy: not merely what we accumulate or achieve, but the spiritual impact we make and the faithfulness with which we steward the responsibilities God has entrusted to us. It challenges us to live with an eternal perspective, recognizing that while our earthly lives conclude, God's overarching plan of redemption continues through successive generations. It also highlights the critical importance of intentionally discipling and preparing the next generation for leadership, ensuring the continuity of faith and service beyond our own time.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the inevitability of death, as seen in Jehoshaphat's passing, shape our perspective on life's priorities and our pursuit of God's will?**
* **What kind of spiritual legacy are we building, not just for our immediate family, but for the next generation of believers and for the advancement of God's kingdom?**
* **In what ways can we faithfully steward the responsibilities and influence God has given us, recognizing that all earthly power and opportunity are temporary?**

### FAQ
**What does "slept with his fathers" mean in the Bible?**

Answer: "Slept with his fathers" is a common Old Testament euphemism for death, particularly for kings and patriarchs. It signifies a natural, peaceful passing, as opposed to a violent or untimely end. The phrase implies joining one's ancestors in the realm of the dead, emphasizing the common human experience of mortality and the continuity of family lines. It does not necessarily refer to a specific theological understanding of the afterlife, but rather the cessation of earthly life and the transition of leadership. This idiom is used for both righteous and unrighteous kings, indicating a formal and accepted end to their reign (e.g., [Deuteronomy 31:16](/deuteronomy/31-16 "Deuteronomy 31:16 - Moses Sleeps with His Fathers"), [1 Kings 2:10](/1_kings/2-10 "1 Kings 2:10 - David Sleeps with His Fathers")).

**Why is burial in the "city of David" significant for a king of Judah?**

Answer: Burial in the "city of David" refers to interment in Jerusalem, specifically the royal burial grounds within the ancient city captured by King David ([2 Samuel 5:7](/2_samuel/5-7 "2 Samuel 5:7 - David Captures Zion")). This was the customary and honorable resting place for the legitimate kings of Judah. Its significance lies in several aspects: it underscored the king's rightful claim to the throne, affirmed his connection to the foundational Davidic covenant, and symbolized the continuity of the Davidic dynasty. It was a mark of honor and a public declaration of the king's place within the sacred history and lineage of God's chosen people, reinforcing the stability and legitimacy of the monarchy (e.g., [1 Kings 2:10](/1_kings/2-10 "1 Kings 2:10 - David's Burial in the City of David")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The seemingly mundane record of Jehoshaphat's death and succession in 1 Kings 22:50 finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. The verse, by emphasizing the continuity of the Davidic line through Jehoram and his burial in the "city of David," subtly points to God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant with David ([2 Samuel 7:12](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12 - God's Covenant with David")). While earthly kings like Jehoshaphat "slept with their fathers" and their reigns inevitably ended, the Davidic covenant ultimately finds its perfect and eternal fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the true and everlasting Son of David, whose kingdom will have no end ([Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "Luke 1:32-33 - Jesus' Eternal Reign")). Unlike mortal kings who succumb to death, Jesus conquered death itself, rising from the grave and holding "the keys of death and Hades" ([Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Christ Holds the Keys of Death")). The transient reigns of Judah's kings, even the good ones like Jehoshaphat, serve as a shadow of the perfect, eternal, and righteous reign of Christ, who is the ultimate King, High Priest, and Prophet, establishing a spiritual kingdom that will never pass away ([Hebrews 7:23-25](/hebrews/7-23 "Hebrews 7:23-25 - Christ's Indestructible Priesthood")).

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 Chronicles 21:1

¶ Now Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And Jehoram his son reigned in his stead.

1 Kings 14:31

And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And his mother's name [was] Naamah an Ammonitess. And Abijam his son reigned in his stead.

1 Kings 2:10

So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David.

2 Kings 8:16

¶ And in the fifth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel, Jehoshaphat [being] then king of Judah, Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah began to reign.

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.

1 Kings 15:24

And Asa slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead.

1 Kings 11:43

And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.