1 Kings 22:1-28
Q.1. Why did King Jehoshaphat ask for ‘a prophet of the Lord’? What made him suspicious of the false prophets? – (1 Kgs.22:1-12)
Jehoshaphat was the godly king of Judah, who appointed Levites who – taught throughout Judah taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord. They went around all the towns of Judah and taught the people (c.f. 2 Chron.17:9). However, – Jehoshaphat had great wealth and honour, and he allied himself with Ahab by marriage (2 Chron.18:1). Sadly, this brought him and the people of Judah into a war pact with the ungodly line of Ahab and Jezebel (1 Kgs.22:1-4). Before agreeing to join forces with Ahab, Jehoshaphat asked him – Please inquire first for the word of the Lord (1 Kgs.22:5). Ahab soon had four hundred prophets, all speaking with one voice in support of the war against the Arameans (1 Kgs.22:6). Jehoshaphat was unconvinced because they behaved like the false prophets of Baal in Elijah’s contest (c.f. 1 Kgs.18:26-29). Jehoshaphat then asked for a – prophet of the Lord (1 Kgs.22:7).
Q.2. What did Ahab’s attitude toward Micaiah tell us about the king and the prophet? – (1 Kgs.22:8, 13-18)
The king of Israel was familiar with one true prophet – there is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the Lord, but I hate him because he does not prophecy good concerning me but evil (1 Kgs.22:8). Despite the ministry of Elijah, Ahab hated the truth. Micaiah was as faithful as Ahab was unreliable. When he was warned that it was in his best interest to agree with the phoney prophets, Micaiah’s response was classic – … As the Lord lives, what the Lord says to me, that I shall speak (1 Kgs.22:14). Though Micaiah initially encouraged the kings to go into battle with the Arameans, the king knew that he was being derisive.
Q.3. How did the prophecy of Micaiah go down with his audience? What does the story teach us about standing up for the truth? – (1 Kgs.22:19-28)
Under oath from king Ahab, Micaiah then brought an imposing judgment against him and his false prophets. (1 Kgs.22:15-17). God had determined the scattering of the nation, through the fall of their king. He sought for an angelic messenger to deceive the king into going to war. He planned to use the false prophets to entice Ahab to go into the disastrous battle (1 Kgs.22:19-23). For telling the truth, Micaiah was struck in the face by the leading false prophet and thrown into prison with scant rations (1 Kgs.22:24-27). Ahab arrogantly promised to punish Micaiah upon his safe return (1 Kgs.22:27). Micaiah responded – If you indeed return safely the Lord has not spoken by me … the prophet bravely added – Listen, all you people (1 Kgs.22:28).