2 Chronicles 20:37
Then Eliezer the sonne of Dodanah of Mareshah, prophesied against Iehoshaphat, saying; Because thou hast ioyned thy selfe with Ahaziah, the Lord hath broken thy workes: and the ships were broken, that they were not able to goe to Tarshish. 2 Chronicles 20:37 (KJV)
In 2 Chronicles 20 we read of King Jehoshaphat of Judah confronting a massive coalition of Moabite and Ammonite forces. Faced with imminent danger, Jehoshaphat called the nation to fast and earnestly sought the Lord’s help. In response, God assured the king that the battle belonged to Him, not to Jehoshaphat, and that He would fight for His people. The following day the people went out to the battlefield, only to discover that the enemy armies had turned on one another and were defeated without Judah having to lift a sword. The nation returned to Jerusalem with great joy, praising God for His deliverance.
Later, Jehoshaphat entered into an alliance with Ahaziah, king of Israel, a partnership that led to the construction of ships at Eziongaber intended for trade with the distant and wealthy port of Tarshish. The prophetic utterance of Eliezer, recorded in the verse above, declared that because Jehoshaphat had joined himself with Ahaziah, the Lord had broken his works, and the ships were broken so they could not go to Tarshish. The broken ships symbolized the tangible consequences of an ungodly political alliance and served as a visible sign of divine judgment.
Historical context shows that Jehoshaphat’s earlier alliance with Ahaziah is noted in 2 Chronicles 18, where the two kings joined forces for a campaign at Ramoth‑Gilead, a venture that ended tragically for Ahaziah. Although the biblical record does not elaborate further on prophetic rebuke, the broken ships narrative underscores the seriousness of forming alliances with those whose hearts are not aligned with God.
Lessons for today are clear: first, be cautious in forming alliances—whether in friendships, business, or marriage—ensuring they are grounded in godly principles. Second, seek God’s guidance in every circumstance; Jehoshaphat’s reliance on prayer brought divine victory. Third, recognize that disobedience and unwise partnerships bring consequences, even for otherwise faithful individuals. Finally, trust in God’s sovereignty and deliverance; even when mistakes occur, He can redeem the situation and demonstrate His faithfulness to His people.
