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 place.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Even in the midst of celebrating his father's life, the narrator quickly pivots to the succession, highlighting the continuous, often stark, reality of leadership passing on, for better or worse, in the lineage of David. This swift transition underscores that royal reigns, for all their human drama, are part of a larger, unfolding divine narrative.
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 place.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After King Asa’s faithful but flawed reign, his son Jehoshaphat takes the throne and initially follows the Lord, even purging idolatry. However, he makes a disastrous alliance with the wicked King Ahab of Israel through marriage, which ultimately leads to his near death on the battlefield. This passage marks the end of Jehoshaphat’s reign, passing the kingdom to his son Jehoram, who unfortunately turns away from God.
Every life, no matter how grand or powerful, eventually comes to its end. For King Jehoshaphat, his story concludes with a simple yet profound statement.
The verse highlights the common end for ancient kings: 'slept with his fathers' and 'was buried with his fathers.' This wasn't just a euphemism for death; it spoke to a deep cultural and theological understanding.
Resting with Ancestors
This phrase signified joining the community of those who had gone before, finding peace in the ancestral line. It was a place of honor, acknowledging his place in the lineage of David, the great king from whom all subsequent Davidic kings descended.
The City of David
Being buried in 'the city of David' (Jerusalem) was a crucial detail. It underscored his legitimacy as a true king of Israel, tracing his right to rule back to the foundational king. It was a public affirmation of his royal status and connection to the covenant promises made to David.
The end of one reign often ushers in the beginning of another. The verse swiftly moves from Jehoshaphat's death to the rise of his son.
The concluding phrase, 'and Jehoram his son reigned in his place,' is concise but carries immense weight. It signifies the continuation of the Davidic dynasty and the ongoing narrative of the kingdom.
The Weight of Inheritance
Jehoshaphat was known as a relatively good king, often contrasted with the wickedness of the northern kingdom of Israel. However, his reign was also marked by compromising alliances, particularly with Ahab of Israel, which ultimately led to disastrous outcomes (as seen earlier in chapter 22). His son, Jehoram, would inherit not only the throne but also the consequences of these decisions.
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A New Chapter Begins
This transition points to the cyclical nature of leadership and the importance of what comes next. While one leader rests, the responsibility of governing and leading God's people falls to the next. The faithfulness or unfaithfulness of the successor has profound implications for the nation.
Understand the original words
shakab 'im 'abothayw · Hebrew Phrase
A common biblical euphemism for death, emphasizing the continuity of the covenantal and familial line even after an individual has passed away.
'iyr David · Hebrew Noun phrase
In a royal context, this refers to the capital city of Judah (Jerusalem), symbolizing the promise given to David regarding the eternal throne and the preservation of his royal lineage.
This verse marks the end of Jehoshaphat's reign, a king whose story powerfully illustrates the tension between personal faithfulness and the devastating consequences of unholy alliances, a lesson still crucial for us today.
c. 870 BC
Solomon's Death and Division of Kingdom
Following Solomon's death, the unified kingdom of Israel split into two: the northern Kingdom of Israel (10 tribes) and the southern Kingdom of Judah (2 tribes). This division set the stage for future conflicts and differing religious trajectories.
c. 870-850 BC
Reign of Asa in Judah
Jehoshaphat's father, Asa, reigned as king of Judah. While Asa made some reforms, he also engaged in wars with Israel and relied on human alliances rather than solely on God.
c. 850 BC
Jehoshaphat Becomes King of Judah
Jehoshaphat began his co-reign with his father Asa, and later reigned alone. He is known for his efforts to reform religious practices and re-establish proper worship in Judah.
c. 850-845 BC
Alliance with King Ahab of Israel
Jehoshaphat formed a significant political and military alliance with Ahab, the idolatrous king of the northern Kingdom of Israel. This alliance led to disastrous spiritual compromises.
c. 853 BC
Battle of Ramoth-gilead
Jehoshaphat joined Ahab in a military campaign against the Arameans (Syrians) at Ramoth-gilead. Despite Jehoshaphat's seeking God, Ahab disguised himself and was killed in battle, a direct consequence of his sin.
c. 848 BC— this verse
Death of Jehoshaphat
After a 25-year reign marked by both faithfulness and significant compromises, King Jehoshaphat of Judah died. He was buried in Jerusalem, the "city of David."
c. 848 BC onwards
Reign of Jehoram in Judah
Jehoshaphat's son, Jehoram, succeeded him. Jehoram's reign was marked by his marriage into Ahab's wicked family and a departure from his father's reforms, leading Judah into spiritual decline.
This verse shows a similar transition of power and burial practice, highlighting the continuity of Davidic kingship and the inevitable cycle of life and death for rulers.
2 Chronicles 21:1This passage provides more detail about Jehoshaphat's death and the succession of his son Jehoram, emphasizing the continuation of the royal line and God's faithfulness to the covenant, even amidst later struggles.
2 Samuel 5:3This verse establishes the precedent for Davidic kings being buried in the City of David, connecting Jehoshaphat's burial to his lineage and the foundational history of the Israelite monarchy.
1 Kings 14:31This verse also records the death and burial of a king (Jeroboam) and the succession of his son, reinforcing the pattern of dynastic succession and the end of a reign that is common throughout Israel's history.
Even in the midst of celebrating his father's life, the narrator quickly pivots to the succession, highlighting the continuous, often stark, reality of leadership passing on, for better or worse, in the lineage of David. This swift transition underscores that royal reigns, for all their human drama, are part of a larger, unfolding divine narrative.
After King Asa’s faithful but flawed reign, his son Jehoshaphat takes the throne and initially follows the Lord, even purging idolatry. However, he makes a disastrous alliance with the wicked King Ahab of Israel through marriage, which ultimately leads to his near death on the battlefield. This passage marks the end of Jehoshaphat’s reign, passing the kingdom to his son Jehoram, who unfortunately turns away from God.
After King Asa’s faithful but flawed reign, his son Jehoshaphat takes the throne and initially follows the Lord, even purging idolatry. However, he makes a disastrous alliance with the wicked King Ahab of Israel through marriage, which ultimately leads to his near death on the battlefield. This passage marks the end of Jehoshaphat’s reign, passing the kingdom to his son Jehoram, who unfortunately turns away from God.
"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 place." — Even in the midst of celebrating his father's life, the narrator quickly pivots to the succession, highlighting the continuous, often stark, reality of leadership passing on, for better or worse, in…
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Last reviewed October 2026