They agreed to make ships to go to Tarshish, and these were built in Ezion-geber.
Parallel translations
- WEB He joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish. They made the ships in Ezion Geber.
- KJV And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships in Eziongaber.
- NKJV And he allied himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish, and they made the ships in Ezion Geber.
- NASB So he allied himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish, and they made the ships in Ezion-geber.
- NLT Together they built a fleet of trading ships at the port of Ezion-geber.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The two kings partnered to build a trading fleet at Ezion-geber. The joint venture symbolized Jehoshaphat's misguided reliance on an ungodly ally.
Overview
Jehoshaphat joined Ahaziah in constructing ships meant for the lucrative Tarshish trade. The cooperation tied Judah's fortunes to a king under God's judgment. The episode sets up a prophetic rebuke, showing that prosperity sought through compromise will not stand.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 3
- 1 Kgs 10:22For the king had the ships of Tarshish at sea with Hiram’s fleet, and once every three years the ships of Tarshish would arrive bearing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.
- 1 Kgs 9:26King Solomon also assembled a fleet of ships at Ezion-geber, which is near Eloth in Edom, on the shore of the Red Sea.
- 2 Chr 9:21For the king had the ships of Tarshish that went with Hiram’s servants, and once every three years the ships of Tarshish would arrive bearing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.
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Temple, priesthood, and the repeated need for a faithful king who seeks the LORD all point past every imperfect reign to the King and Temple who finally and fully dwell with God's people.
How 2 Chronicles 20:36 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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