1 Kings 22:41-50
"41 Jehoshaphat the son of Asa began to reign over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel. 42 Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi. 43 He walked in all the way of Asa his father. He did not turn aside from it, doing what was right in the sight of the Lord. Yet the high places were not taken away, and the people still sacrificed and made offerings on the high places. 44 Jehoshaphat also made peace with the king of Israel.
45 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, and his might that he showed, and how he warred, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? 46 And from the land he exterminated the remnant of the male cult prostitutes who remained in the days of his father Asa.
47 There was no king in Edom; a deputy was king. 48 Jehoshaphat made ships of Tarshish to go to Ophir for gold, but they did not go, for the ships were wrecked at Ezion-geber. 49 Then Ahaziah the son of Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, “Let my servants go with your servants in the ships,” but Jehoshaphat was not willing. 50 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."
The story of Jehoshaphat’s reign makes better reading than that of Ahab (it is told more fully in 2 Chronicles 17-20). One significant point to note here is his refusal (49) to continue the alliance with the northern kingdom. Jehoshaphat had planned to resume trade with the east that had been initiated by Solomon, but the hand of God was against him and the ships were wrecked. Ahaziah son of Ahab, suggested collaboration, but Jehoshaphat saw his error in embarking upon such a course and refused to pursue the matter. In addition, he had learned from the incident of Ramoth Gilead the folly of associating with the northern kingdom. This is something he can teach us today. It is something to be able to see from the misfortunes that overtake us that God is speaking in warning to us, and to be wise enough to heed His word and change direction. Ahab could not, or would not. To have a heart sensitive to the divine leading is the greatest of blessings, and there is always hope for such a man in the spiritual life, however many mistakes he may be making. It is when we are not prepared to receive the admonition of the Lord, and are set on our own way, come what will, that the hardening and blinding process takes place which finally leads us to disaster. Well might the Apostle say, in Hebrews, 'Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.'