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house of Omri, contributed to the stability of the Israelitish dynasty, for as a result of the support given by the southern ruler Omri succeeded in putting his rival Tibni out of the way. Then it was that God resolved that the descendants of Asa should perish simultaneously with the descendants of Omri. This doom was accomplished when Jehu killed the king of Judah on account of his friendship and kinship with Joram the king of Samaria.24
Jehoshaphat and Ahab
The successors of Omri and Asa, each in his way, were worthy of their fathers. Jehoshaphat, the son of Asa, was very wealthy. The treasures which his father had sent to the Aramean ruler reverted to him in consequence of his vic- tory over the Ammonites, themselves the conquerors of the Arameans, whom they had despoiled of their possessions* His power was exceedingly great ; each division of his army counted no less than one hundred and sixty thousand war- riors.28 Yet rich and powerful as he was, he was so modest that he refused to don his royal apparel when he went to the house of the prophet Elisha to consult him; he appeared before him in the attire of one of the people.27 Unlike his father, who had little consideration for scholars, Jehoshaphat was particularly gracious toward them. When a scholar ap- peared before him, he arose, hastened to meet him, and kiss- ing and embracing him, greeted him with " Rabbi, Rabbi!"28
Jehoshaphat concerned himself greatly about the purity and sanctification of the Temple. He was the author of the ordinance forbidding any one to ascend the Temple mount
