Apostasy — the Ahab alliance resumed — 'After this Jehoshaphat king of Judah joined with Ahaziah king of Israel, who did very wickedly' (אחרי זאת התודע יהושפט מלך יהודה עם אחזיהו מלך ישׂראל והוא התעשׁה להרשׁע). The verb ודע (joined with, became associated with) reiterates the alliance theme. The notice that Ahaziah 'did very wickedly' (התעשׁה להרשׁע) characterizes the northern king as apostate. This alliance contradicts Jehoshaphat's own reform; it reveals the enduring pull of northern political entanglement. The Chronicler names this as deviation from covenantal loyalty. The resumption of the problematic alliance after the great deliverance is both tragic and realistic — political necessity often overrides covenantal ideals.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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