Jun 29 (1 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 18) We again see the contrast of the kings Jehoshaphat and Ahab, this time according to their relationship to the prophets (2 Chronicles 18). The two kings were allies, and Ahab asked Jehoshaphat to go with him to fight against Ramoth Gilead. Jehoshaphat agreed on one condition: “Please inquire first for the word of the LORD” (v. 4). Ahab brought together about four hundred of his prophets, who all agreed that they would be victorious. But we learn something about these prophets from Jehoshaphat’s next request: “Is there not yet a prophet of the LORD here that we may inquire of him?” (v.6). The crowd in Ahab’s corner were not prophets of the God of Judah and Israel! Ahab admitted there was one prophet, Micaiah, but he had a problem with him: “I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me but always evil” (v. 7). To qualify to be a prophet for Ahab, you had to always prophesy good things about him—this was problematic since Ahab was an evil king! Micaiah revealed that a lying spirit had been put in the mouths of Ahab’s prophets, so that he would go to battle and be killed. Ahab showed his character yet again by giving instructions for Micaiah to be put in prison.
Ahab further revealed his duplicity by asking Jehoshaphat to go into battle wearing his royal robes while he disguised himself. Despite his actions, Jehoshaphat was spared, and Ahab was killed by a random arrow. Even though Jehoshaphat’s alliance with Ahab was questionable, God honored him because he commonly did what was “right in the sight of the Lord” (1 Kgs. 22:43). We are not perfect, but the Lord has given us the Holy Spirit, by whom we can do what is right in God’s eyes!
– Al Gary
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