2 Chronicles 20:36

And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships in Eziongeber.

And he joined {H2266} himself with him to make {H6213} ships {H591} to go {H3212} to Tarshish {H8659}: and they made {H6213} the ships {H591} in Eziongeber {H6100}.

He joined together with him to build large ships capable of going to Tarshish; they made the ships in 'Etzyon-Gever.

They agreed to make ships to go to Tarshish, and these were built in Ezion-geber.

and he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish; and they made the ships in Ezion-geber.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 20:36 records a significant, though problematic, alliance between King Jehoshaphat of Judah and King Ahaziah of Israel. This verse details their joint venture to build a fleet of ships at Eziongeber, intended for trade to Tarshish.

Context

This verse follows closely after one of the most remarkable displays of faith and divine intervention in Jehoshaphat's reign, where God miraculously delivered Judah from the combined armies of Moab, Ammon, and Mount Seir (see 2 Chronicles 20:1-30). Despite this powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and Jehoshaphat's own piety, he makes a questionable decision to ally with Ahaziah, the wicked son of Ahab, King of Israel. This alliance for commercial purposes, though seemingly pragmatic, was a compromise of Jehoshaphat's commitment to God, as Ahaziah "did very wickedly" (2 Chronicles 20:35). The port of Eziongeber was strategically located on the Gulf of Aqaba, an arm of the Red Sea, making it ideal for maritime trade routes, while Tarshish represented a distant, prosperous trading destination, often associated with wealth and extensive voyages.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Peril of Ungodly Alliances: Jehoshaphat, a generally righteous king, repeatedly struggled with forming alliances with wicked rulers of Israel (as seen with Ahab in 2 Chronicles 18). This verse highlights the ongoing temptation for godly leaders to compromise their principles for perceived political or economic gain, even when it involves partnering with those who do not honor God.
  • Divine Disfavor on Compromise: Although the verse itself only states the action, the immediate subsequent verse (2 Chronicles 20:37) reveals God's judgment against this partnership, indicating that even seemingly innocuous business ventures can incur divine disfavor if they involve compromising spiritual standards.
  • The Lure of Worldly Prosperity: The desire to expand trade and wealth through the "ships to go to Tarshish" illustrates how the pursuit of material prosperity can sometimes overshadow spiritual wisdom and lead to ill-advised partnerships.

Linguistic Insights

The term "Tarshish" (תַּרְשִׁישׁ, Tarshish) often refers to a distant, wealthy trading port, possibly in modern-day Spain, or it could be a general term for large, ocean-going vessels capable of long voyages. The mention of "Eziongeber" (עֶצְיוֹן גֶּבֶר, 'Etsyon Geber) underscores its historical importance as a strategic port for Red Sea trade, known for its shipbuilding and commercial activities under various Israelite and Judean kings.

Practical Application

For believers today, 2 Chronicles 20:36 serves as a powerful reminder about the importance of discernment in all partnerships—whether business, social, or personal. Even when intentions seem good (like increasing prosperity), compromising one's values or aligning with those who actively oppose God's ways can lead to negative consequences. It emphasizes that true success and blessing come from obedience and seeking God's will above all else, rather than relying on worldly wisdom or alliances that contradict divine principles. Just as God judged Jehoshaphat's alliance, so too does He call His people to integrity in all their dealings, ensuring that their pursuits align with His character and commands.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 9:26

    And king Solomon made a navy of ships in Eziongeber, which [is] beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red sea, in the land of Edom.

  • 1 Kings 10:22

    For the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish with the navy of Hiram: once in three years came the navy of Tharshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.

  • 2 Chronicles 9:21

    For the king's ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram: every three years once came the ships of Tarshish bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.
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