So Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Will you go with me against Ramoth Gilead? And he answered him, I am as you are, and my people as your people; we will be with you in the war.. He accomplishes a great deal in the last 25 years of his life, ushering Israel into a time of prosperity and military fortitude. King Jehoshaphat instituted another round of reforms . He went out with Ahab in battle, and was rebuked by Jehu the son of Hanani. C. First, Jehoshaphat just went and visited Ahab. Let's go over some of the things he did. He not only considered it . Turn around and pull out of the battle! 34 While the battle raged on, King Ahab remained propped up in his chariot, facing the Syrians. He cried out to the LORD and was rescued when they turned back from pursuing him. This reminds us, sadly, that we reap what we sow. Jehoshaphat goes forward with the plan. i. 18 Jehoshaphat enjoyed great riches and high esteem, and he made an alliance with Ahab of Israel by having his son marry Ahab's daughter. Yet he was willing to listen to the king of Judah when he advised that Ahab should listen to the prophet Micaiah. Although Jehoshaphat didn't die from the friendship, he made a massive mistake by trusting the . Here Micaiah explained the message of the 400 prophets. This makes sense given Jehoshaphats very name has judgment in the definition. But if you do your duty, you will not be guilty. He became one of the country's most successful rulers for one simple reason: He followed the commands of God. He repented when he did wrong. Thankfully, Jehoshaphat repented and returned to his true love: God. Please see our Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. All rights reserved. Jack Zavada is a writer who covers the Bible, theology, and other Christianity topics. Last week I said Jehoshaphat was Ahab's son-in-law, that is wrong. Jehoshaphat starts the process by getting rid of Asherah poles. He drove out the male cult prostitutes and destroyed the Asherah poles where the people had worshiped false gods. The people's hearts were turned from the false worship of Baal that was present in the land during his time in power. Jehoshaphat did so because he did not want to offend Ahab. But any that are considered must be given close scrutiny without glossing over potential difficulties. . Men may secrete themselves so that other men may never find them; but when the hour of their judgment has come, God takes hold on some ordinary event and makes it the highway on which He comes to carry out His purpose. The people enjoyed a great measure of prosperity and the blessing of God under Jehoshaphat. No matter how powerful and persuasive the presentation, their message was unfaithful. He should have believed the prophecy of Micaiah and known that the battle would end in disaster and the death of at least Ahab. Vs. 28 - Micaiah does not back down. 1. Why did Ahab hate Micaiah? And persuaded him to go up with him to Ramoth Gilead: Previously, the king of Syria promised to return certain cities to Israel (1 Kings 20:34) in exchange for leniency after defeat in battle. Bible text from the Good News Translation (GNT) is not to be reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by American Bible Society, 101 North Independence Mall East, Floor 8, Philadelphia, PA 19106-2155 (www.americanbible.org). This city "was strategic in controlling the eastern caravan route" (Layman's Bible Book Commentary, Volume 6). Jehoshaphat also established a strong justice system. King Jehoshaphat was the fourth king of Judah under the divided monarchy, the son of Asa. b. Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him: Finding himself as the only identifiable king in the battle, Jehoshaphat found himself quickly in danger. Jehoshaphat prayed to God, and the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel, who prophesied that the battle was the Lord's. But he also received a word of judgment: Jehu says, Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the Lord 19:2. These partnerships pressure us to sacrifice our faithfulness to God. The great battle at Ramoth Gilead was a catastrophe. The Lord will give you victory., 12 Meanwhile, the official who had gone to get Micaiah said to him, All the other prophets have prophesied success for the king, and you had better do the same., 13 But Micaiah answered, By the living Lord I will say what my God tells me to!, 14 When he appeared before King Ahab, the king asked him, Micaiah, should King Jehoshaphat and I go and attack Ramoth, or not?, Attack! Micaiah answered. 1. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. His wife was Jezebel, the infamous queen. He attempted to have Elijah arrested (2 Kings 1:9). Like Jehu told Jehoshaphat about his seeking an alliance with Ahab, he should not love those who hate the Lord. He was not satisfied with what God had given him, but was longing for something else among the nations around him. Sunday (2 Chronicles 18-23) Jehosophat Allies because Ahab. Unlike today, many mothers in Ancient Israel decided to name their children Jehoshaphat. It is more difficult to explain why Jehoshaphat agreed to go into the battle as the only clearly identified king. A. Put this fellow in prison: King Ahab responded the way many tyrants do when they are confronted with the truth. . Jehoshaphat then asked if there was not a prophet of the Lord to . And finally, Jehoshaphat slinks back to Jerusalem, humiliated by his bad decision. But Jehoshaphat want to know if there is another prophet. To honor Jehoshaphat and those with him, Ahab had a large number of sheep and cattle slaughtered for a feast. Jehoshaphat's Compromise 2-Chr. When we hear the name of Jehoshaphat some of us may be thinking of the Valley of Jehoshaphat mentioned in Joel 3:2 and Joel 3:12. Jehoram did evil in God's sight, but not to the extent that his father Ahab had, as he did put away his father's sacred pillar of Baal (verses 2-3). i. The kings in the lands surrounding Judah did not dare to go to war against Jehoshaphat because they feared God. Be courageous and carry out these instructions, and may the Lord be on the side of the right!, Good News Translation (Todays English Version, Second Edition). These are all tokens of Gods blessing in this context. 1 Chronicles 15:24 Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah and Eliezer the priests were to blow trumpets before the ark of God. We can be certain that every eye was on Zedekiah when he used the horns of iron to powerfully illustrate the point. 1 King Jehoshaphat of Judah returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem. How Can I Recognize and Understand the Holy Spirit Better? On His right hand and His left: Since the right hand was the place of favor, this may indicate that God spoke to the combined host of heaven, both faithful and fallen angelic beings. Now a certain man drew a bow at random, and struck the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. At this point in history, the nation of Israel had split into two separate countriesone called Israel containing ten tribes and one called Judah containing two trib es. He went out with Ahab in battle, and was rebuked by Jehu the son of Hanani. Answer (1 of 3): The tone of the book, especially in that chapter, shows Jehoshapat as a humble man who obeys God, and Ahab as a reckless man who does only as he thinks right, without thinking of anything but what he means to do. But I hate him because he never prophesies anything good for me; it's always something bad.. God brought Judgement on Ahab; he would not listen to Elijah and was bent on his evil ways. Jehoshaphats life was half over by the time he took the throne, but that didnt stop God from moving in his life. I got my facts mixed up. Sitting in Ahab's palace, with a feast in front of him, surrounded by Ahab and related through marriage put him in a real awkward position. But the one we want to focus on today reigns a little after the time of Solomon and David, long after the kingdom splits into two. 28 Then King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah went to attack the city of Ramoth in Gilead. 12, 14-19). He also had a lot of property. "Evil communications corrupt good manners."*. Jehoshaphat gave his son in marriage to Ahab's daughter. a. Not only that, but Ahab decides that he can get around all of this by dressing Jehoshaphat up in his robes and putting him at the front and disguising himself as a soldier. Ahab got King Jehoshaphat of Judah to ally himself with him in war against Ramoth-gilead then held by the Syrians. He repented when he did wrong. They prophesied favorably, saying: "Go up, and Jehovah will give it into the king's hand." 1) Jehoshaphat the faithful. Yet it should be noted, as mentioned previously in the Bible Reading Program, that this was a common oversight attributed to most of Judah's righteous kings, and is perhaps equally if not more due to a lack of wholeheartedness in obeying God on the part of the nation. He allied with Ahab against Syria, nearly losing his life as a result (18:2ff.). Jehoshaphat believed prayer is a Rapid Response. 1 Kings 16:29-33 tells us just how bad Ahab was. Ahab asks Jehoshaphat of Judah to join with him in a pact to fight against . Hope Bolingeris an acquisitions editor at End Game Press, and the author 21+ books. We may request cookies to be set on your device. Perhaps these were true followers of Yahweh who were seduced by Ahabs sincere but shallow repentance three years before (1 Kings 21:27-29). i. Jehoshaphat responded as if the kings were of one mind and heritage. Then he said, I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. Who Is Jehoshaphat in the Bible? A Chronological Daily Bible Study regarding the Old Testament 7-Day Sections with a Summary-Commentary, Discussion Questions, and a Practical Almost Claim. a. I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing: King Ahab and others at the court found it hard to explain how one prophet could be right and 400 prophets could be wrong. He seeks after Gods own heart throughout his reign. Apparently this was a city that Ben-Hadad never returned to Israel and it was in a strategically important location. This is a stark change in policy from 17:1, where Jehoshaphat had strengthened himself against Israel. a. To be sure, this is a case of misguided judgment. Learn Religions. 43 Jehoshaphat was a Article Images Copyright , Lessons From the Bible Story of King Jehoshaphat. Ahab was greatly influenced towards wickedness by his Phoenician wife Jezebel. 1 Thessalonians, Dangerous Partnerships: The story of Jehoshaphat & Ahab. Acts 6:1-6, Four things to remember in times of trial. So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth Gilead: It is easy to understand why King Ahab of Israel went to this battle; he didnt want to believe that Micaiahs prophecy was true and wanted to courageously oppose it. But he did not do all that he should have, as he did not remove all the high places from Judah (2 Chronicles 20:33). Following that disaster, Jehoshaphat appointed judges throughout Judah to deal fairly with the people's disputes. The rest of chapter 19 he went back to reforming Judah. Click on the different category headings to find out more. At first, the alliance worked, but Ahab drew Jehoshaphat into a war that was against God's will. He left Jerusalem, his proper responsibilities as Gods regent and went to be with Ahab. Ahab tells Jehoshaphat his plan. But how did he die, if God protected him in the war in which Ahab drew him into? (NIV), 2 Chronicles 20:32-33He walked in the ways of his father Asa and did not stray from them; he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD. In other words, he should not have made a partnership with an evil king, who was Gods enemy. Ahab asks him if he would go with him to take the city of Ramoth in Gilead from Syria. Jehoshaphat immediately agreed to go, but asked that they first inquire of the Lord. Jehoshaphats name means Jehovah judged. This is similar to Daniels name of may God be my judge. Both were very godly men. The prayer was answered. Ahab goes to war against Aram despite Micaiah's prediction. . You will remember him from the stories of Elijah. Though God will sometimes intervene for the sake of a righteous person in such circumstances (compare 2 Kings 3:14), we shouldn't count on itparticularly when we know better. (35) And after this.--The chronicler has omitted the notice that "Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel" (1Kings 22:44), and now he omits two other short verses of the parallel account, viz., 1Kings 22:46-47: "And the remnant of the sodomites, which had remained in the days of his father Asa, he consumed out of the land.There was then no king in Edom: a deputy was king." i. However, because this was an aberration from Jehoshaphat's usual stance of faith and obedience, the LORD did not punish Jehoshaphat. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. Then Ahab persuades Jehoshaphat to go into battle dressed in his royal robes, whilst Ahab disguises himself so he cannot be recognised in battle (vv. At sunset he died. Carmel, and he killed all the prophets of Baal. He required these judges to be just, impartial, and take no bribes, for they "do not judge according to man but the Lord" (see 2 Chronicles 19:4-10). c. Now a certain man drew a bow at random, and struck the king of Israel: This seemed to be pure chance. And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself and go into battle; but you put on your robes. So the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle. Mindful of the fact that Judah was bordered by Moab, Ammon, and Israelall hostilehe knew he needed a strong and well-positioned military. Fight with no one small or great, but only with the king of Israel: Ahabs previous mercy to Ben-Hadad (1 Kings 20:31-34) did not win any lasting favor with the rulers of Syria. He led the people to be faithful as well (like his father Asa). He strengthened himself against Israel [2 Chr 17:1], the Lord was with him [2 Chr 17:3], his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord [2 Chr 17:6], he authorized the teaching of the words of God throughout Judah [2 Chr 17:7-9], the fear of God . b. c. I hate him, because he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil: Ahab hated the messenger because of the message. Secondly, Jehoshaphat teaches us the importance of breaking the familial cycle of mistakes. Wait a minute! Without God's help, we can do nothing worthwhile. Ahab and his wife, Queen Jezebel, had well-deserved reputations for wickedness. 1 Chronicles 11:43:Hanan son of Maakah, Joshaphat the Mithnite.. 8 So King Ahab called in a court official and told him to go and get Micaiah at once. Zavada, Jack. Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in. There is a well-intentioned but mistaken teaching that God can allow no evil in His presence, meaning that Satan and other fallen angels could not be in His presence. Ahaziah became sick, and rather than establishing a relationship with the true God and placing his trust in Him, he attempted to inquire of the pagan god Baal-Zebub whether he would live or die. Daniel 3, The Parable of the Vineyard Tenants. Scholars have variously dated his reign to around 873-849 B.C.E. d. The king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot, facing the Syrians until evening: Ahab faced the end of his life bravely, dying proppedup in his chariot to inspire his troops. Christian family to appeal after court dismisses school Pride parade complaint, British public don't want a secular coronation, poll finds, Relic of crucifixion cross to be used in King Charles' coronation, Challenged by the faith of those who suffer. Answer. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Meet King Pharaoh: Arrogant Egyptian Ruler, Biography of King Solomon: The Wisest Man Who Ever Lived, Battle of Jericho Bible Story Study Guide, Scripture Readings for the Fourth Week of Lent, Crossing of the Jordan River Bible Study Guide, M.A., English Composition, Illinois State University, B.S., English Literature, Illinois State University. The high places, however, were not removed, and the people still had not set their hearts on the God of their fathers. This strange incident can only be understood against the background of other Old Testament passages, especially Deuteronomy 13:11 and Ezekiel 14:1-11. both these passages speak of people being enticed by false prophets, in each case as a result of a link with idolatry. (Selman), Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near and struck Micaiah on the cheek, and said, Which way did the spirit from the LORD go from me to speak to you? And Micaiah said, Indeed you shall see on that day when you go into an inner chamber to hide! Then the king of Israel said, Take Micaiah, and return him to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the kings son; and say, Thus says the king: Put this fellow in prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and water of affliction until I return in peace. But Micaiah said, If you ever return in peace, the LORD has not spoken by me. And he said, Take heed, all you people!.

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