Melakhim I Chapter 22 | The Relationship Between Israel and Yehuda

During Asa’s reign, the kingdoms of Yehuda and Israel were in a bitter conflict and battled each other, leading Asa to ally with Aram against Israel. Later, the leadership in Israel changed, and Yehoshafat, Asa’s son, fostered closer ties with Achav, the king of Israel: They fought together against Aram, and Yehoshafat arranged for Achav’s daughter, Atalya, to marry his son Yehoram.

In Melakhim, their alliance against Aram is briefly noted from Achav's perspective, with the peace described by two 'psukim' only while describing Yehoshafat: “Yehoshafat made peace with the king of Israel… Yehoshafat built a Tarshush fleet to set sail to Ofir for gold, but the ships were wrecked at Etzyon Gever, and he never set sail. Then Achazyahu son of Achav proposed to Yehoshafat, 'let my servants set out with your servants in the ship', but Yehoshafat would not give his consent." Yehoshafat made peace with the kingdom of Israel, but near the end of his days refused to cooperate with Achazyahu. That leaves us with the question what had happened in between?

In Divrei HaYamim, we find a more detailed and ideologically charged account. Following Yehoshafat’s failed campaign with Achav against Aram, he was rebuked by Yehu son of Chanani, a prophet: “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord?... For this, the Lord's wrath, is unleashed against you” (Divrei HaYamim II 19:2). Similarly, the story of the ships is told with more details as well. It reveals an initial partnership with Achazyahu; however, after the ships were destroyed once, Yehoshafat received prophetic reproach and chose not to renew the collaboration.

On one hand, the peace signifies a step toward unifying the divided kingdom, a glimmer of hope for restoring a united nation. On the other, Yehoshafat’s alliance with the sinful kings of Israel carried significant risks of being influenced by them.

Yehoshafat attempted to separate his political and religious alliances: politically, he was in a partnership with the Kingdom of Israel, while religiously, he followed his own path. However, the prophet disapproved of this duality. There are individuals with whom it is impossible to form a partnership without significant religious costs. By the end of the story in this chapter, toward the end of Yehoshafat’s reign, he seems to accept this principle, refusing to cooperate with Achazyahu’s ship-building effort.

Yet, the true conclusion of this story unfolds during the reign of his son Yehoram, King of Yehuda. Yehoram, as the son-in-law of Achav, followed the ways of Israel’s kings. Atalya, Achav’s daughter, almost wiped out the entire Davidic dynasty, as described in Melakhim II Chapter 11. The corrupt practices of Israel’s monarchs — idolatry and political violence — eventually infiltrated Yehuda.

The proper balance between religious stubbornness, zeal, and protective boundaries versus unity, love, and outreach is a complex one. It is difficult to derive a universal principle, as every situation comes with its own benefits and costs. However, the lesson from this story is clear: alliances with the wicked come at a heavy price and should be undertaken, if at all, with the utmost caution.

You are welcome to hear more on this topic in Harav Medan's shiur from the Herzog Yemei Iyun b'Tanakh here.