On one occasion Jehoshaphat visited the king of Israel at Samaria. Special honor was shown the royal guest from Jerusalem, and before the close of his visit he was persuaded to unite with the king of Israel in war against the Syrians. Ahab hoped that by joining his forces with those of Judah he might regain Ramoth, one of the old cities of refuge, which, he contended, rightfully belonged to the Israelites.

Josafat besøgte engang Israels konge i Samaria. Der blev vist den kongelige gæst fra Jerusalem megen ære, og inden besøget sluttede, blev han overtalt til at drage med Israels konge i krig mod syrerne. Akab håbede, at han kunne generobre Ramot, hvis han og Juda forenede deres styrker. Ramot var en af de gamle tilflugtsbyer, og Akab hævdede, at den med rette tilhørte Israel.