2 Chronicles 20:37

KJV

Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the LORD hath broken thy works. And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then Eliezer {H461} the son {H1121} of Dodavah {H1735} of Mareshah {H4762} prophesied {H5012} against Jehoshaphat {H3092}, saying {H559}, Because thou hast joined {H2266} thyself with Ahaziah {H274}, the LORD {H3068} hath broken {H6555} thy works {H4639}. And the ships {H591} were broken {H7665}, that they were not able {H6113} to go {H3212} to Tarshish {H8659}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then Eli'ezer the son of Dodavahu from Mareshah prophesied against Y'hoshafat: "Because you joined yourself with Achazyah, ADONAI is wrecking your project."And the ships were wrecked, so that they couldn't go to Tarshish.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Eliezer son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, the LORD has destroyed your works.” So the ships were wrecked and were unable to sail to Tarshish.

American Standard Version

Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, Jehovah hath destroyed thy works. And the ships were broken, so that they were not able to go to Tarshish.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 20:37 records the prophetic declaration of Eliezer, son of Dodavah, against King Jehoshaphat of Judah. This divine pronouncement explains the catastrophic failure of Jehoshaphat's ambitious naval enterprise: the ships built for a voyage to Tarshish were shattered. The prophet explicitly attributes this disaster to Jehoshaphat's ill-advised alliance with Ahaziah, the wicked king of Israel, underscoring God's unwavering disapproval of spiritual compromise and unholy partnerships, even for a generally righteous king.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes a significant section in Jehoshaphat's reign, immediately following the description of his alliance with Ahaziah for a joint shipping venture (2 Chronicles 20:35-36). It stands in stark contrast to the preceding narrative of God's miraculous deliverance of Judah from the Moabite and Ammonite invasion, a victory achieved through faith and worship (2 Chronicles 20:1-30). While Jehoshaphat demonstrates remarkable faith and leadership in seeking God's face during national crisis, his persistent weakness for forming alliances with the idolatrous northern kingdom is a recurring theme. He had previously allied with Ahaziah's father, Ahab, for a military campaign, for which he received a severe rebuke from the prophet Jehu (2 Chronicles 19:2). This repeated pattern highlights a crucial flaw in an otherwise commendable reign, demonstrating that even good intentions (like economic prosperity) cannot justify spiritual compromise. The destruction of the ships is presented as a direct divine consequence, reinforcing the Chronicler's emphasis on immediate retribution for obedience or disobedience.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Jehoshaphat (c. 870-846 BC) was a generally righteous king of Judah, known for his religious reforms, judicial organization, and military strength. In contrast, Ahaziah (c. 850-849 BC) was the son of Ahab and Jezebel, continuing their Baal worship and wickedness in Israel. The proposed joint venture to Tarshish from Ezion-geber (located on the Gulf of Aqaba, a Red Sea port) indicates an attempt to engage in lucrative long-distance maritime trade, likely for valuable metals like silver and gold. Such voyages were ambitious and costly, requiring significant resources and expertise. Historically, Tarshish is often identified with a distant port, possibly in Spain, known for its wealth. The alliance itself, however, crossed a fundamental religious and cultural boundary. For a king committed to Yahweh worship like Jehoshaphat, forming a deep partnership with an idolatrous king like Ahaziah was a direct violation of the covenant principles of separation and holiness, even if it promised economic benefit.
* **Key Themes:** The primary message conveyed in this verse and its immediate context is the **consequences of unholy alliances**. Despite Jehoshaphat's overall faithfulness, his repeated willingness to "join himself" with wicked kings of Israel brought divine disfavor and tangible loss. This incident powerfully illustrates **divine judgment and intervention**, demonstrating God's active involvement in human affairs and His intolerance for spiritual compromise within His covenant people. The destruction of the ships was not an accident but a direct act of the Lord, a clear sign of His displeasure. Furthermore, the presence of Eliezer, the prophet, highlights the theme of **prophetic warning and explanation**. God does not act arbitrarily but communicates His will and the reasons for His actions through His chosen messengers, providing clarity and an opportunity for repentance. This narrative also reinforces the broader biblical principle of **God's holiness and the necessity of separation** for His people, emphasizing that spiritual integrity should always take precedence over perceived material or political advantages, a theme echoed throughout the Old Testament, such as in [Deuteronomy 7:1-6](/deuteronomy/7-1 "Deuteronomy 7:1-6 - Separation from Nations") and later in the New Testament.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Prophesied (Hebrew, _nābā'_):** This verb signifies speaking under divine inspiration, delivering a message directly from God. It emphasizes that Eliezer's words were not merely human opinion or political commentary, but an authoritative declaration of the Lord's will and judgment. The prophet acts as God's mouthpiece, ensuring that the king understands the divine origin and gravity of the message.
* **Joined thyself (Hebrew, _ḥābar_):** This verb means to bind, unite, or associate closely. It implies a deep, intentional partnership or alliance, not just a casual encounter. The use of this word highlights the problematic nature of Jehoshaphat's relationship with Ahaziah, indicating a level of intimacy and shared purpose that violated God's command for His people to remain distinct from the idolatrous nations. It suggests a fusion of interests that God found unacceptable.
* **Broken (Hebrew, _shābar_):** This strong verb means to shatter, break in pieces, or destroy. It conveys a sense of complete and decisive destruction, rendering the ships utterly unusable for their intended purpose. The passive voice ("the ships were broken") implies divine agency, reinforcing the preceding declaration that "the LORD hath broken thy works." This was not an accident or a storm, but a direct, targeted act of God's judgment, ensuring the failure of the compromised venture.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying":** This clause introduces the divine messenger and the recipient of the prophecy. Eliezer, a prophet from Mareshah (a town in Judah), is presented as God's chosen instrument to deliver a direct, confrontational message to King Jehoshaphat. His role underscores the consistent theme in Chronicles of God speaking to His kings through prophets, holding them accountable for their actions.
* **"Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the LORD hath broken thy works":** This is the core of the prophecy, stating the precise reason for God's judgment and identifying the divine agent. Jehoshaphat's alliance ("joined thyself") with Ahaziah, the wicked king of Israel, is explicitly named as the cause. The phrase "the LORD hath broken thy works" directly attributes the impending disaster to God's active intervention, making it clear that the failure of the shipping venture is a direct consequence of the king's disobedience and spiritual compromise. "Thy works" refers specifically to the enterprise undertaken in partnership with Ahaziah.
* **"And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish":** This clause describes the immediate and specific outcome of God's judgment. The ships, built for a lucrative voyage to Tarshish, were rendered unusable. The destruction was so complete ("that they were not able to go") that the entire commercial endeavor was thwarted. This demonstrates the effectiveness and precision of God's judgment, directly targeting the fruit of the unholy alliance and preventing its success.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 2 Chronicles 20:37 is **Prophecy**, where Eliezer acts as a direct conduit for God's word, delivering a specific message of judgment. This prophecy functions as a clear **Cause and Effect** statement, explicitly linking Jehoshaphat's action of "joining himself with Ahaziah" to the divine consequence: "the LORD hath broken thy works." This direct correlation underscores the principle of divine retribution for disobedience, a foundational theme in the Chronicler's theology. Furthermore, the passage employs **Divine Intervention**, portraying God as an active agent in human affairs, directly intervening to thwart the plans of kings when they deviate from His will. The destruction of the ships is not a natural disaster but a targeted act of God. There is also a subtle **Irony** in the narrative: Jehoshaphat, a king who generally sought the Lord and experienced miraculous deliverance, repeatedly falls into the same pattern of compromising alliances, and his pursuit of material gain through ungodly means ultimately results in material loss.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The account of Eliezer's prophecy and the destruction of Jehoshaphat's ships serves as a powerful theological statement about God's holiness and His intolerance for spiritual compromise among His people. It underscores that while God is merciful and gracious, He is also just and demands obedience, particularly concerning the purity and distinctiveness of His covenant community. Even a king like Jehoshaphat, who generally walked in the ways of the Lord and experienced great blessings and miraculous deliverance, faced divine discipline when he allowed pragmatic considerations or the pursuit of worldly gain to override the clear command to remain separate from ungodly influences. This narrative teaches that true prosperity and success, in God's eyes, are rooted in faithful obedience and spiritual integrity, not in alliances that compromise one's commitment to Him. God's intervention demonstrates His sovereignty over all human endeavors and His commitment to upholding His standards, even if it means thwarting well-intentioned but misguided human plans.

* [2 Corinthians 6:14-18](/2_corinthians/6-14 "2 Corinthians 6:14-18 - Do Not Be Unequally Yoked")
* [Proverbs 13:20](/proverbs/13-20 "Proverbs 13:20 - Walk with the Wise")
* [Psalm 1:1](/psalms/1-1 "Psalm 1:1 - The Blessed Man's Path")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of Jehoshaphat's broken ships offers a timeless and profound lesson for believers today. It compels us to critically examine the nature of our associations and partnerships, whether in business, personal relationships, or ministry. Just as Jehoshaphat’s alliance with Ahaziah brought divine disfavor and the ruin of his enterprise, so too can our compromises with worldly values, ungodly influences, or unbiblical practices lead to spiritual barrenness, frustration, and a lack of God's blessing on our endeavors. The passage challenges us to prioritize spiritual integrity and obedience to God's commands for separation above any perceived material advantage or social acceptance. It reminds us that God's ways are higher than our ways, and His wisdom far surpasses our pragmatic calculations. True success, from a divine perspective, is found in walking humbly with God, trusting His provision, and refusing to dilute our faith for the sake of worldly gain.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life (relationships, career, finances, entertainment) might I be tempted to form "unequal yokes" or compromise my faith for perceived benefit?**
* **How does this passage encourage me to discern more carefully the influences I allow into my life and the partnerships I pursue?**
* **What "works" or endeavors in my life am I relying on human wisdom or worldly alliances for, rather than trusting solely in the Lord's blessing and guidance?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater sensitivity to God's holiness and His call for His people to be set apart?**

### FAQ
**Why was Jehoshaphat, a generally good king, punished for this alliance?**

Answer: While Jehoshaphat was largely a righteous king who initiated reforms and sought the Lord, his repeated alliances with the idolatrous kings of Israel (first Ahab, then Ahaziah) represented a significant spiritual compromise. God's holiness demands separation from wickedness, and even good intentions (like economic prosperity) cannot justify disobedience to this fundamental principle. The "punishment" was not an act of condemnation but divine discipline, intended to correct Jehoshaphat and teach him (and future generations) the importance of spiritual purity and unwavering trust in God alone. It demonstrates that God holds His leaders to a high standard and that even His faithful servants are not exempt from the consequences of their choices when they deviate from His will, as seen in the parallel account in [1 Kings 22:48-49](/1_kings/22-48 "1 Kings 22:48-49 - Jehoshaphat's Ships Broken").

**What was the purpose of the ships going to Tarshish?**

Answer: The ships were intended for a commercial voyage, likely for lucrative trade. Tarshish was a renowned distant port, often associated with rich mineral resources (like silver, iron, tin, and lead) and extensive trade routes. The venture from Ezion-geber, a Red Sea port, suggests a grand commercial ambition to expand Judah's wealth and influence through maritime trade, potentially bypassing traditional land routes. This was a significant economic undertaking, and its failure due to divine intervention highlighted God's sovereignty over even the most ambitious human plans.

**Is there a parallel account of this event in other biblical books?**

Answer: Yes, a parallel account is found in [1 Kings 22:48-49](/1_kings/22-48 "1 Kings 22:48-49 - Jehoshaphat's Ships Broken"). While both accounts agree on the destruction of the ships and Jehoshaphat's involvement, there's a slight difference in detail. 1 Kings 22:48 states that "Jehoshaphat made ships of Tarshish to go to Tarshish for gold: but they went not; for the ships were broken at Ezion-geber." This account does not explicitly mention Ahaziah's direct involvement in the building of the ships, nor does it include Eliezer's prophecy as the *reason* for the breaking, though it does mention Ahaziah's desire to send his servants with Jehoshaphat's. 2 Chronicles 20:36-37 clarifies that Jehoshaphat "joined himself with Ahaziah" in making the ships and explicitly attributes their destruction to Eliezer's prophecy against this unholy alliance, providing the theological rationale for the event. The Chronicler's emphasis on the prophecy and the reason for the breaking aligns with his broader theological agenda of highlighting the consequences of obedience and disobedience.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Jehoshaphat's compromised alliance and the subsequent divine judgment on his works finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. While Jehoshaphat, a type of the flawed human king, repeatedly fell into the trap of unholy alliances, Jesus Christ perfectly embodied absolute separation from sin and compromise. He lived a life of unwavering obedience to the Father, never "joining Himself" with the world's systems or its ungodly ways, even when tempted by promises of worldly power or gain (see [Matthew 4:1-11](/matthew/4-1 "Matthew 4:1-11 - Temptation of Jesus")). The "breaking" of Jehoshaphat's works serves as a shadow of the ultimate judgment on sin that Christ bore on the cross. On the cross, Jesus was "broken" for us (as in [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - He was crushed for our iniquities")), taking upon Himself the divine wrath against all human compromise and sin, so that those who are "joined" to Him by faith would not have their works broken, but rather made fruitful. Through our union with Christ, we are called to be a people set apart, holy, and distinct from the world, not unequally yoked with unbelievers (as in [2 Corinthians 6:14](/2_corinthians/6-14 "2 Corinthians 6:14 - Do Not Be Unequally Yoked")). Our "Tarshish" is no longer the pursuit of earthly wealth through compromised means, but the advancement of God's kingdom and the glorification of Christ through lives of faithful obedience and genuine spiritual integrity, knowing that in Him, all our true "works" are blessed and endure (see [1 Corinthians 3:12-14](/1_corinthians/3-12 "1 Corinthians 3:12-14 - Building on the Foundation")).

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

Proverbs 13:20

¶ He that walketh with wise [men] shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

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.

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 22:48

Jehoshaphat made ships of Tharshish to go to Ophir for gold: but they went not; for the ships were broken at Eziongeber.

Joshua 7:11

Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put [it] even among their own stuff.

Joshua 7:12

Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, [but] turned [their] backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.

Proverbs 9:6

Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.