SCRIPTURE: 1 KINGS 22
MICAIH PROPHESIES AGAINST AHAB (vs. 1-28)
Jehoshaphat, king of Judah met with Ahab, king of Israel. Ahab told Jehoshaphat that Ramoth Gilead belonged to them and he was inviting Jehoshaphat to go with him to fight against Ramoth Gilead. Jehoshaphat asked Ahab to seek the counsel of the lord. So the king of Israel brought together about 400 prophets and asked them: “Shall I go to war against Ramoth Gilead or shall I refrain? All the prophets answered: “Go, for the Lord will give it into the king’s hand” (v. 6). But Jehoshaphat wanted to ask for a prophet from the Lord. The king of Israel said: “There is one but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad. He is Micaiah” (v. 8). All the prophets assembled together. Zedekiah and other prophets prophesied their victory. But Micaiah said: “The Lord will entice lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets and tell him to go and attack. But disaster will fall upon you. Zedekiah was angry and he slapped Micaiah’s face. The king ordered to put Micaiah in prison and give him nothing but bread and water until his return. But Micaiah declared: ” If you can return safely, the Lord has not spoken through me. Mark my words all you people” (v. 28)
AHAB KILLED AT RAMOTH GILEAD (vs. 29-50)
The king of Israel and the king of Judah joined forces to attack Ramoth Gilead. King Ahab told Jehoshaphat to wear royal robes while he will enter the battle in disguise. The king of Aram ordered his 32 chariot commander to fight only the king of Israel. Someone drew his bow at random and hit the king of Israel. The blood of his wound ran into the floor of the chariot and he died. The dogs licked up his blood as what the word of the Lord had declared. Ahab rested with his father and Ahaziah his son succeeded him as king.
JEHOSHAPHAT – KING OF JUDAH (vs. 4150)
Jehoshaphat was 35 years old when he became king and he reigned Jerusalem for 25 years. He walked in the ways of the Lord and did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. He rid the land of the rest of the male shrine prostitutes who remained there. However, the high places were not removed and the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there. Jehoshaphat was at peace with the king of Israel. He built a fleet of trading ships to go to Ophir for gold but they never set sail – they were wrecked at Ezion Geber. Ahaziah offered to let his men sail with their men but Jehoshaphat refused. Jehoshaphat rested with his father and Jehoroam his son succeeded him.
THOUGHTS:
Jehoshaphat had no reason to meddle in Ahab’s war. But because he made the mistake of marrying Ahab’s daughter, he was obliged to fulfill family obligations. Ahab cleverly tried to make Jehoshaphat a decoy and get him killed but God protected him and Ahab was slain instead.
False prophets agreed in their message of success and glory. They tried to get Micaiah to agree with them but Micaiah gave the true message of the Lord. He stood firm on God’s message and remained faithful to God. Can you stay faithful to the word of the Lord even if you are being threatened?
When the new king of Israel, Jehoshaphat’s brother-in-law asked for a new alliance by offering to sail with his trading ship. Jehoshaphat refused. He had learned his lesson and profited from his mistakes.
King Ahab was a great soldier who could have led Israel to victory and peace had he followed the Lord in truth. But his alliance with Baal worship and the evil influence of his godless wife Jezebel brought him defeat. Beware not to yoke with unbelievers.