Who was Jehoshaphat in the Bible?

Jehoshaphat, son of Paruah, was one of King Solomon's twelve district governors. His specific role was to provide food for the royal household for one month each year from his assigned territory (1 Kings 4:17).

What is the significance of Jehoshaphat's role?

His role highlights the administrative efficiency and prosperity of Solomon's kingdom. As a provider for the king, he was part of the system that supported Solomon's extensive court and peaceable reign.

What else does the Bible say about Jehoshaphat's life?

The Bible provides no further details about his personal life or key events. His entire biblical mention is his official role and lineage as recorded in 1 Kings 4:17.

Jehoshaphat

Old TestamentUnited MonarchyMaleSon

Jehoshaphat, son of Paruah, was one of Solomon's twelve officers responsible for providing food for the king and his household.

Jehoshaphat

Biography

Jehoshaphat son of Paruah was one of twelve district officers appointed by King Solomon to administer the supply of provisions for the royal household (1 Kings 4:17). Each officer was responsible for providing food for the king and his vast court for one month of the year, a system designed to distribute the economic burden across the kingdom and ensure consistent provisioning of the palace. Jehoshaphat's district was Issachar, one of the northern tribal territories. Though his name shares that of the famous Judahite king, this Jehoshaphat was an administrator during the golden era of the united monarchy, serving the practical needs of Solomon's celebrated court. His appointment reflects the sophisticated bureaucratic apparatus Solomon constructed to manage Israel's unprecedented prosperity.

Significance

Jehoshaphat son of Paruah represents the often-invisible infrastructure of faithful governance. Solomon's administrative system, of which Jehoshaphat was a part, enabled the peace and prosperity that made the construction of the temple possible, itself the culmination of Israel's covenant aspirations. While his contribution was mundane by comparison to prophets and kings, reliable administration of ordinary resources is a form of stewardship that honors God. His appointment illustrates that God's work in history is sustained not only by extraordinary acts but by faithful people faithfully discharging everyday responsibilities.

Verse Appearances (1)

1Kgs

1Kgs 4:17

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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