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Lesson 9 1Ki 22:1-40; 2 Chron 18

In Judah  Jehoshaphat, a good king Reigned 25 years  Riches and honor  Allied with Ahab, king of Israel  Goes to visit Ahab

In Israel  Ahab is king Wife Jezebel Reigned 22 years  Had peace treaty with Ben-hadad, king of Syria  Jehoshaphat came to visit Ahab  Ahab wants help to capture Ramoth Gilead

Inquire of the Lord  Ramoth Gilead was in territory of Israel on east side of Jordan Former city of refuge  Syria controlled Ramoth Gilead  On King’s Highway – trade route  Jehoshaphat tells Ahab to inquire of the Lord before they go into battle

Prophets of Baal  Ahab calls his 400 prophets  “Shall I go to fight or not?”  “Go up, for the Lord will deliver it into your hands”  Jehoshaphat is not satisfied Where is a prophet of the Lord?

Micaiah  Ahab doesn’t want Micaiah  “He always prophesies evil for me”  While waiting for Micaiah The kings are dressed in royal robes; sitting on thrones Prophets of Baal continue before them Zedekiah – you will gore the Syrians until they are dead

Micaiah  “Whatever the Lord says to me, I will speak”  Comes before Ahab  “Go and prosper”  Ahab knew better Tell me the truth  “Israel will be scattered” defeat

1 Kings 22:19-23  1 Ki 22:19 Then Micaiah said, "Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by, on His right hand and on His left. "And the LORD said, 'Who will persuade Ahab to go up, that he may fall at Ramoth Gilead?' So one spoke in this manner, and another spoke in that manner. "Then a spirit came forward and stood before the LORD, and said, 'I will persuade him.'

1 Kings 22:19-23  22 "The LORD said to him, 'In what way?' So he said, 'I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.' And the LORD said, 'You shall persuade him, and also prevail. Go out and do so.' "Therefore look! The LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these prophets of yours, and the LORD has declared disaster against you."

Reaction  Zedekiah strikes Micaiah  Ahab sends Micaiah to prison Feed him bread and water Hold him until I return from battle  Micaiah—if you return at all, the Lord has not spoken through me  Micaiah warns the people

On to Battle  Ahab and Jehoshaphat go to battle against Syria  Ahab is worried He tells Jehoshaphat to wear his royal robes Ahab disguises himself as a normal soldier  King of Syria commands Fight with no one, but only with the king of Israel

The Battle  Seeing the royal attire they pursue Jehoshaphat  They realize it is not Ahab and turn aside  A random shot wounds Ahab  Blood runs onto the floor of the chariot  He dies at evening  Israel’s army goes home

Ahab’s Death  Ahab is buried in Samaria  His chariot is washed  Dogs lick the blood  Ahaziah, Ahab’s son, reigned in his place

Lessons  Inquire of the Lord  Others may attempt to deceive As if telling the truth  Who we believe is up to us  We can reject what God tells us Make our choice (to go or to refrain)  God’s prophecies are accurate and will be fulfilled

Kingdom Relationships  JUDAH  Jehoshaphat  Jehoram  Ahaziah  Athaliah  ISRAEL  Ahab – Jezebel Ahaziah Jehoram Athaliah

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