why did jehoshaphat ally himself with ahab

He assumed the throne after being anointed by a messenger of the prophet Elisha and carried out one of history's most violent coups. 18:1 Jehoshaphat was very wealthy and greatly respected. Neighboring kings paid tribute to him because they feared his power. Yet so it was. (Morgan), ii. b. Jehoshaphat did so because he did not want to offend Ahab. Thankfully, Jehoshaphat repented and returned to his true love: God. The wisest strategy for the protection of his kingdom was obedience instead of compromise with the ungodly King Ahab of Israel and his wife, Queen Jezebel. Jehoshaphat established for his kingdom a very strong fighting force, reaching astounding numbers of fighting men. This is the same word that I Chronicles 21:1 says about Satan enticing David to sin by means of the census. This was in fulfillment of what Isaac foretold many centuries before (Genesis 27:39,40). He was a good king but with the weakness of wanting to be friends with Ahab. However, because this was an aberration from Jehoshaphat's usual stance of faith and obedience, the LORD did not punish Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat made a bad alliance with King Ahab, one of the most wicked kings in Israel's history. But Ahab devises what he thinks is a clever plan to avoid the fate prophesied by Micaiah. because he never prophesied anything good about him, but always bad. Lets begin by getting oriented. Many commentators believe these prophets were pagan prophets, perhaps representatives of Asherah or other pagan gods or goddesses. But if you do your duty, you will not be guilty. 2 A few years later he went to Samaria to visit Ahab, who prepared a great banquet for him and his officials. Jehoshaphat was 35 years old when he began his reign and was king for 25 years. Jehoshaphat was the fourth king of the southern kingdom of Judah, the son of Asa, of the line of David. 1. After all, the dangerous one he made almost got him killed. May their lives and walks with God strengthen your faith and encourage your soul. The prayer was answered. Then the messenger who had gone to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, Now listen, the words of the prophets with one accord encourage the king. We should not make partnerships with the world. "Evil communications corrupt good manners."*. Jehoshaphat also pursued alliances with the kingdom of Israel in the North. Jehoshaphat failed to foresee the long-term consequences of his bad decisions. He blew a trumpet as they carried the ark of God toward the city. What accord has Christ with Belial? More than 1400 of her works have been featured in various publications. Jehoshaphat's son Jehoram married Athaliah, daughter of king Ahab of Israel. This is what the LORD says to you: Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. (Amos 3:3.) i. The way people who live righteously think is as different from those who disregard God's laws as day is from night (compare 2 Corinthians 6:14-18). God's hand was on Jehoshaphat and He blessed the kingdom of Judah under his reign. Jehoshaphat and Ahab cemented their relationship by arranging a marriage between Jehoshaphat's son, Jehoram, and Ahab and Jezebel's daughter, Athaliah. These partnerships pressure us to sacrifice our faithfulness to God. It will use peer pressure to make you stay in line. Jehoshaphat's Defining Flaw. Ramoth Gilead belonged to Israel by the word of God but Ahab was out of the will of God. This chapter lists King Davids bodyguards, a variant form of the name Jehoshaphat within the mix. But the one we want to focus on today reigns a little after the time of Solomon and David, long after the kingdom splits into two. Ahab wanted Micaiah imprisoned and deprived (feed him with bread of affliction and water of affliction). I'm wounded! he cried out to his chariot driver. Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near and struck Micaiah on the cheek: Zedekiah responded the way some do when they are defeated in an argument he responded with violence. A number of priests move the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, including another Jehoshaphat. Although Jehoshaphat didnt die from the friendship, he made a massive mistake by trusting the wrong person. Three years later, Aram had failed to return the cities that Ben-hadad promised and so Ahab decides to go and take them for himself. 1 Kings 16:29-33 tells us just how bad Ahab was. After King Ahaziah's death (1:18), his brother Jehoram (called Joram in 8:25), another son of evil King Ahab, became king over Israel since Ahaziah himself had no son (1:17; 3:1). 33 By chance, however, a Syrian soldier shot an arrow which struck King Ahab between the joints of his armor. i. Turn around and pull out of the battle! 34 While the battle raged on, King Ahab remained propped up in his chariot, facing the Syrians. He walked in God's ways - "The Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. Yet in chapter 18, we find that Jehoshaphat enters into a partnership with him. Instead, Jehoshaphat removes places of worship to foreign gods such as Asherah poles, and he fortifies Israels defenses against their enemies. Elijah Denounces Ahaziah. When Jehoshaphat arrived in Samaria, Ahab asked Jehoshaphat to join with him in battle against Ramoth Gilead. Jehoshaphat in the Bible was the fourth king of Judah. God wanted to bring judgment against Ahab, so He asked this group of the host of heaven for a volunteer to lead Ahab into battle. They prophesied favorably, saying: "Go up, and Jehovah will give it into the king's hand." But he did not do all that he should have, as he did not remove all the high places from Judah (2 Chronicles 20:33). Some people forget that Satan and his fellow fallen angels have access to heaven (Job 1:6, Revelation 12:10). (29) Jehoshaphat and Ahab go into battle. As the LORD lives, whatever my God says, that I will speak: The assistant of King Ahab tried to persuade Micaiah to speak in agreement with the 400 other prophets. Yet it should be noted, as mentioned previously in the Bible Reading Program, that this was a common oversight attributed to most of Judah's righteous kings, and is perhaps equally if not more due to a lack of wholeheartedness in obeying God on the part of the nation. When his death became known the battle was over. Put this fellow in prison: King Ahab responded the way many tyrants do when they are confronted with the truth. We should stay true to God. The King of Syria had instructed his men that the The Prophet Micaiah Warns Ahab (1 Kings 22.1-28)1 When King Jehoshaphat of Judah became rich and famous, he arranged a marriage between a member of his family and the family of King Ahab of Israel. There I will put them on trial for what they did to my inheritance, my people Israel, because they scatteredmy people among the nationsand divided up my land., Joel 3:12 Let the nations be roused; let them advance into the Valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit to judgeall the nations on every side.. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. But first, Jehoshaphat wanted to inquire of the Lord 18:4. Registered in England and Wales 5090917, Christian Today, International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2BN, God is on the move in the broken Anglican Communion, Church of England bishops urged 'to step back from the brink' on same-sex blessings, Lessons for today from the Salem Witch Trials. Micaiah assured him that he would simply repeat what God said to him. Daniel 3, The Parable of the Vineyard Tenants. 17:10-13 ). " 3 But the angel of the Lord said to . A Chronological Daily Bible Study of the Old Testament 7-Day Sections with a Summary-Commentary, Discussion Questions, and a Practical Daily Application. i. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. The joint forces of the invaders are no match for God almighty. Stay up to date with the latest Christian news! Week 39. Jehoram did evil in God's sight, but not to the extent that his father Ahab had, as he did put away his father's sacred pillar of Baal (verses 2-3). Such arranged dynastic marriages were quite common in those days. You can also change some of your preferences. (1 Chronicles 17: 1-6, 10) However, although he could have relied totally on God to protect him, Jehoshaphat allied himself with the evil king of Israel, Ahab. Thankfully, Jehoshaphat repented and returned to his true love: God. All rights reserved. But we also know that only some good kings came from the Kingdom of Judah, Jehoshaphat being one of them. Then Ahab persuades Jehoshaphat to go into battle dressed in his royal robes, whilst Ahab disguises himself so he cannot be recognised in battle (vv. The Lord substantially blessed Jehoshaphat and Judah during Jehoshaphat's reign. Of course, there may be some business arrangements where such matters would never be at issue. Romans 1-8: Word Biblical Commentary [WBC] Retail: $52.99. He became one of the country's most successful rulers for one simple reason: He followed the commands of God. a. What agreement has the temple of God with idols? 2 Corinthians 6:14-16. Saying "no" at this point would look He went out with Ahab in battle, and was rebuked by Jehu the son of Hanani. Jehoshaphats life was half over by the time he took the throne, but that didnt stop God from moving in his life. We begin with noting that there was 3 years without war between Syria and Israel. Will you go with me against Ramoth Gilead? Ahaziah became sick, and rather than establishing a relationship with the true God and placing his trust in Him, he attempted to inquire of the pagan god Baal-Zebub whether he would live or die. 2 A number of years later Jehoshaphat went to the city of Samaria to visit Ahab. Once back, the Lord rebukes him through his prophet Jehu, whose father, by the way, had rebuked Jehoshaphats father King Asa. Thats old? Indeed, in ancient times, life expectancies didnt really exceed much beyond the age of 50. Sin never pays! He accomplishes a great deal in the last 25 years of his life, ushering Israel into a time of prosperity and military fortitude. Please inquire for the word of the LORD today: Considering the generally adversarial relationship between Ahab and the prophets of Yahweh, this was a bold request of Jehoshaphat to ask of Ahab. He introduced the worship of completely new, pagan gods. Now a certain man drew a bow at random, and struck the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. He strengthened himself against Israel [2 Chr 17:1], the Lord was with him [2 Chr 17:3], his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord [2 Chr 17:6], he authorized the teaching of the words of God throughout Judah [2 Chr 17:7-9], the fear of God . This makes sense given Jehoshaphats very name has judgment in the definition. The Lord has made these prophets of yours lie to you. He attempted to have Elijah arrested (2 Kings 1:9). Ahab decides to disguise himself so that he will not be recognized, but tells Jehoshaphat to dress as a king. (NIV). 18 Jehoshaphat enjoyed great riches and high esteem, and he made an alliance with Ahab of Israel by having his son marry Ahab's daughter. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say such things! Then the king of Israel called one of his officers and said, Bring Micaiah the son of Imla quickly!. Jehoshaphat made a bad alliance with King Ahab, one of the most wicked kings in Israels history. He set up a group of priests and qualified people to go around, teaching the people from God's laws (see 2 Chronicles 17:7-9). q. (see 2 Chronicles 17:10-12). Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Ahab proceeds to imprison Micaiah. These passages show that God can allow evil in His presence, though He can have no fellowship with evil and one day all evil will be removed from His presence (Revelation 20:14-15). i. Save: $14.00 (70%) Buy Now. God brought Judgement on Pharaoh by outright hardening his heart, so that God could multiply His miracles and signs throughout Egypt. God, however, made it very clear that He was with Elijah, and that He would protect him from the king's evil devices (2:10-15). Ahab was penitent and humbled himself and so the Lord waited to fulfill the prophecy until Ahab's son reigned in his place. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. i. 1) Jehoshaphat the faithful. Click to enable/disable essential site cookies. We also should not go about longing for what the world has. A Divine message reached the king and people through Jehaziel, a Levite, upon whom the spirit of Gd had descended. But, not only that, so many times our sin ends up wounding those we love more than us. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. He received mercy: Jehu says, Nevertheless, some good is found in you, for you destroyed the Asherahs out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God 19:3. For God had previously caused the "fear of the Lord [to fall] over all the surrounding kingdoms so that none of them wanted to declare war on Jehoshaphat" (2 Chron. After some years he went down to Ahab in Samaria 18:2. But Jehoshaphat want to know if there is another prophet. Despite the riches, fame, and military might that he possessed, Jehoshaphat had a humble heart that kept inquiring of the Lord for any detail of his life and that's what makes him a really great king (see 2 Chronicles 17:3-6). He used horns of iron to illustrate the thrust of two powerful forces, armies that would rout the Syrians. Let each return to his house in peace. And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell you he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?. He worked to remove the "high places" of worship, did not participate in any Baal worship, and cut down the Asherahs, which were worshipped in various places. Though God will sometimes intervene for the sake of a righteous person in such circumstances (compare 2 Kings 3:14), we shouldn't count on itparticularly when we know better. Ahab did so because he hated God and his ways. So Ahab brings out . 1 Kings 21:25 There was never anyone like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD, urged on by Jezebel his wife. a. . Now when Jehoshaphat learned a great army has come against him ( 2 Chronicles 20:1-2 ), he immediately realized three things. Ahab is basically threatening God here with consequences.

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