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Prophets and Kings
Although Jehoshaphat in a moment of weakness had rashly
promised to join the king of Israel in his war against the Syrians,
yet his better judgment led him to seek to learn the will of God con-
cerning the undertaking. “Inquire, I pray thee, at the word of the Lord
today,” he suggested to Ahab. In response, Ahab called together four
hundred of the false prophets of Samaria, and asked of them, “Shall we
go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear?” And they answered,
“Go up; for God will deliver it into the kings’s hand.”
Verses 4, 5
.
Unsatisfied, Jehoshaphat sought to learn for a certainty the will
of God. “Is there not here a prophet of the Lord,” he asked, “that we
might inquire of him?”
Verse 6
. “There is yet one man, Micaiah to son
of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the Lord,” Ahab answered; “but
I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil.”
1 Kings 22:8
. Jehoshaphat was firm in his request that the man of
God be called; and upon appearing before them and being adjured by
Ahab to tell “nothing but that which is true in the name of the Lord,”
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Micaiah said: “I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that
have not a shepherd: and the Lord said, These have no master: let
them return every man to his house in peace.”
Verses 16, 17
.
The words of the prophet should have been enough to show the
kings that their project was not favored by Heaven, but neither ruler
felt inclined to heed the warning. Ahab had marked out his course,
and he was determined to follow it. Jehoshaphat had given his word
of honor, “We will be with thee in the war;” and after making such a
promise, he was reluctant to withdraw his forces.
2 Chronicles 18:3
.
“So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to
Ramoth-gilead.”
1 Kings 22:29
.
During the battle that followed, Ahab was shot by an arrow, and at
eventide he died. “About the going down of the sun,” “there went a
proclamation throughout the host,” “Every man to his city, and every
man to his own country.”
Verse 36
. Thus was fulfilled the word of the
prophet.
From this disastrous battle Jehoshaphat returned to Jerusalem. As
he approached the city, the prophet Jehu met him with the reproof:
“Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord?
therefore is wrath upon thee from before the Lord. Nevertheless there
are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves