Let’s talk about Jehoshaphat, son of Asa, a king of Judah. Now, according to the biblical narrative in the Book of Kings, and amplified in works like Ginzberg's Legends of the Jews, Jehoshaphat inherited a kingdom already on pretty solid footing. Asa, his father, had been no slouch, and Jehoshaphat definitely stepped up to the plate. He was rolling in it, to put it bluntly. The treasures that Asa had once given to the Aramean ruler? They came right back to Jehoshaphat, thanks to a victory over the Ammonites, who had themselves taken those riches from the Arameans. Talk about a roundabout!
And his military? Forget about it! Each division of his army boasted at least one hundred and sixty thousand warriors. That’s a serious force. This guy had power in spades.
But here's where it gets interesting. Despite all that wealth and might, Jehoshaphat was known for his anavah – his humility. Think about that for a second. We’re talking about a king, a guy who could probably get away with anything, choosing instead to be modest.
The Legends of the Jews tells a story that really highlights this. When Jehoshaphat went to see the prophet Elisha – a really important figure, a conduit to the divine – he didn't show up in all his royal finery. Nope. He dressed like one of the regular folks. He understood that true authority doesn't come from fancy clothes or a crown.
And it wasn’t just the prophets he respected. Unlike his father, who, let's just say, wasn't the biggest fan of scholars, Jehoshaphat went out of his way to honor them. Picture this: a scholar walks into Jehoshaphat's presence, and the king, this powerful ruler, actually gets up, rushes to greet him, and showers him with kisses and embraces, calling out, "Rabbi, Rabbi!" (My teacher, my teacher!).
Isn't that an incredible image? It speaks volumes about his character.
So, what can we learn from Jehoshaphat? He had the power, he had the wealth, but he also had something else, something arguably more important: respect for wisdom, respect for humility, and a genuine connection to the people around him. Maybe that's the real secret to good leadership, and maybe, just maybe, it’s a lesson we can all take to heart, no matter our station in life.