So he allied himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish, and they made the ships 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.
- BSB They agreed to make ships to go to Tarshish, and these were built in Ezion-geber.
- NKJV And 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 a fleet of Tarshish at sea with Hiram’s fleet. Once every three years the fleet of Tarshish came, bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.
- 1 Kgs 9:26King Solomon made a fleet of ships in Ezion Geber, which is beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red Sea, in the land of Edom.
- 2 Chr 9:21For the king had ships that went to Tarshish with Huram’s servants. Once every three years, the ships of Tarshish came bringing 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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