We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. But, not only that, so many times our sin ends up wounding those we love more than us. 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. LICENSEE shall reproduce the following trademark and trademark notice on the copyright page of each copy of the Licensed Products: Read the surrounding text of 2 Chronicles 18:1-19:11. The prophet Elijah had previously prophesied evil concerning Ahab. . Complete the following verse found in 2 Chronicles 18:1 - . 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!. A Chronological Daily Bible Study regarding the Old Testament 7-Day Sections with a Summary-Commentary, Discussion Questions, and a Practical Almost Claim. He made a marriage alliance with Ahab 18:1. It was a certain man, and he pulled his bow at random but it struck as if it were a sin-seeking missile, hitting right between the joints of his armor. Ahab decides to disguise himself so that he will not be recognized, but tells Jehoshaphat to dress as a king. . Some people forget that Satan and his fellow fallen angels have access to heaven (Job 1:6, Revelation 12:10). Carmel, and he killed all the prophets of Baal. c. Who will persuade Ahab king of Israel to go up, that he may fall at Ramoth Gilead? Ahab wanted Micaiah imprisoned and deprived (feed him with bread of affliction and water of affliction). Jehoshaphat may have needed a lesson on how to make smart political alliances. He drove out the male cult prostitutes and destroyed the Asherah poles where the people had worshiped false gods. He improved the military and financial prowess of the southern kingdom. a. I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: Micaiah was challenged to tell the truth, and now he changed his tone from mocking to serious. 2 A number of years later Jehoshaphat went to the city of Samaria to visit Ahab. He went out with Ahab in battle, and was rebuked by Jehu the son of Hanani. To be sure, this is a case of misguided judgment. Unsurprisingly, Ahab throws Micaiah in prison on bread and water rations. 18:1 Jehoshaphat was very wealthy and greatly respected. Ahab determined that he should take the city of Ramoth-Gilead back from the Syrians. There I will put them on trial for what they did to my inheritance, my people Israel, because they scatteredmy people among the nationsand divided up my land., Joel 3:12 Let the nations be roused; let them advance into the Valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit to judgeall the nations on every side.. How many times do I have to tell you that?, 16 Micaiah answered, I can see the army of Israel scattered over the hills like sheep without a shepherd. 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). Jehoshaphat's Defining Flaw. Ahaziah of Israel was king from 853852 BC. God brought Judgement on Ahab; he would not listen to Elijah and was bent on his evil ways. 3 But even so, there is some good in you. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him 1 John 2:15. b. It appears that the Israelites and Jews maintained the fight the whole of the day; but when at evening the king died, and this was known, there was a proclamation made, probably with the consent of both Syrians and Israelites, that the war was over. (Clarke), (c) 2021 TheEnduring WordBible Commentary by David Guzik ewm@enduringword.com. 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. You will succeed., 22 And Micaiah concluded: This is what has happened. Romans 12:19-21, A true test of character: How you treat those weaker than you, Come to Jesus and find rest. This chapter lists King Davids bodyguards, a variant form of the name Jehoshaphat within the mix. He allied with Ahab's house by marrying his son (Jehoram) to Ahab's daughter (Athaliah) (18:1). b. King Ahab recognized the mocking tone of Micaiahs prophecy and knew it contradicted the message of the 400 prophets. Similarly, John tells us Do not love the world or the things in the world. Check out her books at hopebolinger.comfor clean books in most genres, great for adults and kids. Today we begin looking at the story of Jehoshaphat. First we see a picture of . He was 35 years old when he sat as king and reigned for 25 years until his death at age 60. The phrase bread of affliction and water of affliction may be translated bread and water of scant measure. (Dilday), c. If you ever return in peace, the LORD has not spoken by me: The prophet Micaiah made one final and ultimate appeal. At the beginning of his reign, Jehoshaphat "strengthened himself against Israel (2 Chronicles 17:1). What accord has Christ with Belial? Israel and Judah had not been on good terms with each other in the years following their divide. i. THEN he made another disastrous treaty with wicked King Ahaziah which resulted in all their ships wrecked. He left Jerusalem, his proper responsibilities as Gods regent and went to be with Ahab. because he never prophesied anything good about him, but always bad. Ahab induced or enticed him to form a league with him to retake a disputed city in northern Israel Ramoth-gilead. Paul says about this, Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. Hope Bolingeris an acquisitions editor at End Game Press, and the author 21+ books. When Jehoshaphat led the people out to meet the invaders, he ordered men to sing, praising God for his holiness. Ahab knew in his heart that Micaiah would not fear or flatter him, but only declare the word of Jehovah. Also Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, Please inquire for the word of the LORD today. Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said to them, Shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain? So they said, Go up, for God will deliver it into the kings hand. But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not still a prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of Him? So the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, There is still one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD; but I hate him, because he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil. Secondly, Jehoshaphat teaches us the importance of breaking the familial cycle of mistakes. A victorious military leader, He was honored and made wealthy from tribute. He campaigned against idolatry and the renewed worship of the One True God. This was a dramatic scene. Jehoshaphat responded as if the kings were of one mind and heritage. This is the same word that I Chronicles 21:1 says about Satan enticing David to sin by means of the census. King Ahab said that he wanted the truth but he couldnt handle the truth. (NIV). Zedekiah had the agreement of 400 other prophets (all the prophets prophesied so). Pingback: Joining Forces with Ahab - CRIES from among US! 18:1 Jehoshaphat was very loaded and greatly respected. After all, the dangerous one he made almost got him killed. Wait a minute! Hatred of the messenger of God is clear evidence of willful wickedness. (Morgan), Then Micaiah said, Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing on His right hand and His left. This show of friendship to Ahab was in reality hatred towards God (2 . Obed-Edom and Jehiah were also to be doorkeepers for the ark.. b. I will disguise myself and go into battle; but you put on your robes: Going into the battle, Ahab did not want to be identified as a king and therefore be a special target. a. The Lord substantially blessed Jehoshaphat and Judah during Jehoshaphat's reign. There were even thrones for high officials to sit on at the gates of the city of Samaria. In another time of crisis, Jehoshaphat's obedience to God saved the country. In the process he killed both the reigning King of Israel, Joram, and the King of Judah, Ahaziah, at the same time. Please click here to learn how. Since he knew his words were true, it was fitting for him to cry out as they dragged him back to prison, Take heed, all you people!. Unlike today, many mothers in Ancient Israel decided to name their children Jehoshaphat. We need to learn this. So the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle. (He) sought the God of his father and walked in his commandments. But any that are considered must be given close scrutiny without glossing over potential difficulties. It came about because Jehoshaphat allied himself to the king of Israel, Ahab, through marriage: his son and successor as king, Jehoram, married Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab. The name Jehoshaphat means means "Jehovah has judged," Yahweh judges, or Yahweh establishes the right.". He appointed judges that would hear cases among the people. Ahab summoned 400 of his prophets, all of whom, unsurprisingly, foretold victory. 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. Ungodly partners can lead to spiritual compromise (see 1 Corinthians 15:33). King Jehoshaphat, son of Asa, reigned for 25 years once he took the throne at the age of 35. Micaiah who always prophesies bad things about Ahab. Obviously this was thanks to the help of Jehovah. 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. He made an alliance by marriage with Ahab, 18:2 and after several years went down to visit Ahab in Samaria. 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. Jehoshaphat made some poor choices but he did have a heart for the Lord and "did what was right in the eyes of the Lord" (20:31.) battle. After all, bad company corrupts good morals (1 Corinthians 15:33). Learn Religions, May. Mindful of the fact that Judah was bordered by Moab, Ammon, and Israelall hostilehe knew he needed a strong and well-positioned military. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? How? . God intervened to help him. Jehoshaphat and Ahab cemented their relationship by arranging a marriage between Jehoshaphat's son, Jehoram, and Ahab and Jezebel's daughter, Athaliah. In order to succeed, he solicited the help of King Jehoshaphat of Judah. Michelangelo's 'Asa-Jehoshaphat-Joram.' i. 17:10). And the LORD said, These have no master. 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.