1 Kings 22:29-53
Q.1. What lessons do we learn from Ahab and Jehoshaphat in their battle against Aram? How did God justify His prophets? – (1 Kgs.22:29-40)
The godly prophet Micaiah had warned the kings of Israel and Judah of impending doom. By forming an alliance with Ahab, Jehoshaphat had placed his spiritual welfare and his life at risk. Ahab had set him up, but in grace, God saved him (1 Kgs.22:29-33). In spite of Ahab’s disguise – a man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel … The battle raged all day and the king was propped up in his chariot in front of the Arameans, and died at evening, and the blood of the chariot ran into the bottom of the chariot (1 Kgs. 22:34-35). In accordance with the prophecies from Elijah and Micaiah that Ahab would meet an ignominious end – They washed the chariot by the pool of Samaria, and the dogs licked up his blood (now the harlots bathed themselves there), according to the word of the Lord which He spoke (1 Kgs.22:38 c.f. 1 Kgs.21:19; 22:28). God’s true prophets were vindicated.
Q.2. What kind of man was King Jehoshaphat? Did he learn anything from his friendship with Israel? – (1 Kgs.22:41-53)
The reign of Jehoshaphat is given more exposure in 2 Chronicles chapters 17-20. His alliance with King Ahab was strongly condemned by the seer Jehu – Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord and so bring wrath upon yourself from the Lord? (2 Chron.19:2). In response, Jehoshaphat repented and turned the nation, in revival, back to God. His prayer to God when a vast army came against Judah was legendary (2 Ch.20:5-12). He was one of the great kings of Judah – He walked in all the ways of Asa his father; he did not turn aside from it, doing right in the sight of the Lord (1 Kgs.22:43). He also removed – the remnant of the sodomites who remained in the days of his father (1 Kgs.22:46 c.f. Lev.18:22; 20:13). According to this record, Jehoshaphat was prevented from turning to shipbuilding, and when Ahab’s son sought an alliance – Jehoshaphat was not willing (1 Kgs.22:49 c.f. 1 Kgs.22:48-49). Ahab’s son, Ahaziah followed his wicked father. He provoked God to anger by going by the way of his ancestor, Jeroboam – who caused Israel to sin (1 Kgs.22:51-53 c.f. 1 Kgs.12:25-33).