Click to read 1 Kings 22
Synopsis
Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, went to pay respect to Ahab and offered his army to join hands with Israel to take Ramoth Gilead. Jehoshaphat followed the steps of his father, Asa, and was more God-focused than the other kings. As such, he asked Ahab to seek the Lord before going to war.
Ahab gathered his 400 prophets to seemingly seek guidance from the Lord. These prophets lied to him that the Lord would bless him and give him victory. Jehoshaphat had the presence of mind to ask if Ahab could seek guidance from a "real" prophet of God. Micaiah was the one. When Ahab's men went about to bring Micaiah to see the king, they prepared him by telling him to lie that the Lord would give him victory.
Micaiah finally told Ahab and Jehoshaphat that they would be defeated and instead of listening and repenting, Ahab had Micaiah thrown into prison. And despite scheming to avoid being recognized by the enemy, a stray arrow struck Ahab and killed him.
Major Verses
V6-13 - In his evil ways, Ahab and Jezebel had maintained their "own" prophets, who would say what pleased them instead of the truth. Though Ahab had the appearance of seeking the counsel of God, he was really getting the prophets to affirm what he wanted for himself.
What I learn
Be careful not to be so independent that we do not want to hear God's instructions. Especially for those of us who are in high positions, do not allow our pride to distract us from the Lord's words.
V15-28 - When Micaiah told a lie, Ahab insisted on hearing the truth. After Micaiah told the truth, Ahab did not believe him and had him imprisoned. Ahab was in no mood to hear God's truth. It is not known why Jehoshaphat also did not take Micaiah's warning.
What I learn
We must ask the Holy Spirit to help us to be sensitive to His words. The truth may be painful, there may be things and areas that we need to set right. It is better to suffer short-term pain and repent than for our disobedience to bring disaster upon us.
V29-39 - Ahab th0ught that he would outsmart God by going into battle in disguise. He would let Jehoshaphat be the target of the attack and he would dress as a normal soldier. He thought that he could cheat God and cheat death. A stray arrow (not stray in God's view) found the small opening between Ahab's armour and struck him.
What I learn
We can never outsmart nor cheat God. Ahab's pride and refusal to repent led to his death. He was warned by Elijah and Micaiah and yet refused to repent. We must be careful not allow our pride to blind us. Let's have reverence for God, absolutely.
V51-53 - After Ahab's death and for which the details were exactly as proclaimed by Elijah, his son Ahaziah became king. Despite seeing the punishment that his father received for worshiping Baal, Ahaziah chose to follow his sinful ways. He continued to provoke the Lord.
What I learn
As fathers, if we do not live rightly and do not teach our children to do likewise, they will end up like us. Let's seek the Lord's help to live right and to teach the right things to our children.
Summary
Ahab was the most evil of all of Israel's kings. Being influenced by Jezebel, he led the nation into deep sins through Baal worship. God gave him many chances to repent but he chose otherwise. He met his end just as God had decreed, a punishment for his unrepentant heart. God is a holy God. While He loves sinners, He cannot tolerate sin. We have to repent and accept the saving grace of Jesus Christ to return to His fold.
Synopsis
Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, went to pay respect to Ahab and offered his army to join hands with Israel to take Ramoth Gilead. Jehoshaphat followed the steps of his father, Asa, and was more God-focused than the other kings. As such, he asked Ahab to seek the Lord before going to war.
Ahab gathered his 400 prophets to seemingly seek guidance from the Lord. These prophets lied to him that the Lord would bless him and give him victory. Jehoshaphat had the presence of mind to ask if Ahab could seek guidance from a "real" prophet of God. Micaiah was the one. When Ahab's men went about to bring Micaiah to see the king, they prepared him by telling him to lie that the Lord would give him victory.
Micaiah finally told Ahab and Jehoshaphat that they would be defeated and instead of listening and repenting, Ahab had Micaiah thrown into prison. And despite scheming to avoid being recognized by the enemy, a stray arrow struck Ahab and killed him.
Major Verses
V6-13 - In his evil ways, Ahab and Jezebel had maintained their "own" prophets, who would say what pleased them instead of the truth. Though Ahab had the appearance of seeking the counsel of God, he was really getting the prophets to affirm what he wanted for himself.
What I learn
Be careful not to be so independent that we do not want to hear God's instructions. Especially for those of us who are in high positions, do not allow our pride to distract us from the Lord's words.
V15-28 - When Micaiah told a lie, Ahab insisted on hearing the truth. After Micaiah told the truth, Ahab did not believe him and had him imprisoned. Ahab was in no mood to hear God's truth. It is not known why Jehoshaphat also did not take Micaiah's warning.
What I learn
We must ask the Holy Spirit to help us to be sensitive to His words. The truth may be painful, there may be things and areas that we need to set right. It is better to suffer short-term pain and repent than for our disobedience to bring disaster upon us.
V29-39 - Ahab th0ught that he would outsmart God by going into battle in disguise. He would let Jehoshaphat be the target of the attack and he would dress as a normal soldier. He thought that he could cheat God and cheat death. A stray arrow (not stray in God's view) found the small opening between Ahab's armour and struck him.
What I learn
We can never outsmart nor cheat God. Ahab's pride and refusal to repent led to his death. He was warned by Elijah and Micaiah and yet refused to repent. We must be careful not allow our pride to blind us. Let's have reverence for God, absolutely.
V51-53 - After Ahab's death and for which the details were exactly as proclaimed by Elijah, his son Ahaziah became king. Despite seeing the punishment that his father received for worshiping Baal, Ahaziah chose to follow his sinful ways. He continued to provoke the Lord.
What I learn
As fathers, if we do not live rightly and do not teach our children to do likewise, they will end up like us. Let's seek the Lord's help to live right and to teach the right things to our children.
Summary
Ahab was the most evil of all of Israel's kings. Being influenced by Jezebel, he led the nation into deep sins through Baal worship. God gave him many chances to repent but he chose otherwise. He met his end just as God had decreed, a punishment for his unrepentant heart. God is a holy God. While He loves sinners, He cannot tolerate sin. We have to repent and accept the saving grace of Jesus Christ to return to His fold.
Hi Steven, was thinking of you this morning and remembered your blog. I enjoyed reading your comments. On the subject of hearing from God it is remarkable how there were 400 false prophets and only one true prophet. The false prophets said what people wanted to hear and the true one spoke from God what they didn't want to hear. It reminds me how Paul warned Timothy in 1Tim4:2-3 that "2TI 4:2 Preach the Word; . . correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when . . . to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear." What I learn from this is that when God truly speaks to us it will correct, rebuke and encourage us. Blessings Pastor Peter
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