JE'HOSH'A'PHAT AND HIS SYMBOLIC REIGN.

Je'Hosh'A'Phat, King of Judah, son of A'Sa and Azub'Ah daughter of Shil'Hi. He came to the throne at the age of 35, and reigned for 25 years, and was succeeded by his son Je'Ho'Ram.
1 KIngs 22 indicates that (1) Je'Hosh'A'Phat continue the religious policies of A'Sa and so was faithful to God, but he did not take the 'high places' away. (2) He made peace with the rulers of Israel. (3) He had 'ships of Tarshish' constructed for gold trade with Ophir, but the vessels were wrecked at Ezion-Geber.
2 Chronicles 20 construes this last matter differently, condemning Je'Hosh'A'Phat for collaborating with Ahaz'Iah in the venture and noting that the ships were built in Ezion-Geber, and destroyed after the prophet Eli-Ezer rebuked Je'Hosh'A'Phat for entering into an agreement with the Israelite king.
The reports about Je'Hosh'A'Phat's military alliances with Ahab against the Syrians, and with Jehoram against Moab, depict the king of Judah as a godly man, who insisted on hearing the Word of God's prophet before going into battle.
Chronicles enlarges the Kings account of Je'Hosh'A'Phat dramatically and depicts the king more favorable, reporting that he fortified, provisioned, and garrisoned his territories against Israel and other foreign powers, and because of that God blessed him with peace.
Chronicles reproduce with few changes the Kings' report about the Battle with Syria at Ramoth-Gilead, but it notes that the seer Jehu, son of Hanani, rebuked Je'Hosh'A'Phat for his alliance with Israel.
In addition, 2 Chronicles 20 describes Je'Hosh'A'Phat successful defense of his territory against an alliance of Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites (inhabitants of Mount Seir), a narrative with superficial parallels to 2 Kings 3. Je'Hosh'A'Phat proclaimed a fast, appealed to God for help, and under the guidance of the Levite Jahazi-El led his people out for battle, where they found that their enemies had destroyed one another.
  "Then Je'Hosh'A'Phat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord, worshiping the Lord. And the Levites, of the Ko'Ha'Thites and the Kor'A'Hites, stood up to praise the Lord, the God of Israel, with a Very Loud Voice."
  "And they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Teko'a; and as they went out, Je'Hosh'A'Phat stood and said, 'Hear me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and You Will Be Established; Believe His Prophets, and You Will Succeed.' "
  "And when Je'Hosh'A'Phat had taken counsel with the people, He Appointed Those Who Were To Sing To The Lord and Praise Him in Holy Array, as they went before the army, and say,  'GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HIS STEADFAST LOVE ENDURES FOR EVER.' "
  "And When They Began To Sing and Praise, the Lord set an Ambush Against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed."
  "For the men of Ammon and Moab rose against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, destroying them utterlyand when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they all helped to destroy one another.
When Judah came to the Watchtower of the Wilderness, they looked toward the multitude; and behold,
they were dead bodies lying on the ground, none had escaped."
  "When Je'Hosh'A'Phat and His People came to take the spoil from them, they found cattle in great numbers, goods, clothing, and precious things, which they took for themselves until they could carry no more. They were 3 days in taking the spoil, it was so much. On the 4th day they assembled in the Valley of Bera'Cah, for There They Blessed the Lord; therefore the Name of that place has been called the Valley of Bera'Cah to this day."
  "Then they returned, Every Man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Je'Hosh'A'Phat at Their Head, returning to Jerusalem with joy, for the Lord Had Made Them Rejoice Over Their Enemies. They came to Jerusalem, with Harps and Lyres, and Trumpets, to the House of the Lord."
  "And the Fear of God came on all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard that the Lord Had Fought Against The Enemies Of Israel. So the Realm of Je'Hosh'A'Phat was quiet, For His God Gave Him Rest Round About."
Finally, in Chronicles, Je'Hosh'A'Phat is portrayed as a diligent ruler concerned with the right religious observance of His People and the Administration of Justice in the Land. He sent princes, Levites, and priests into the cities of Judah to Teach The Book Of The Law Of God, and appointed judges throughout his kingdom, establishing in Jerusalem Levites, priests, and heads of families to judge disputes brought to them.