Sometimes it’s good to review what we have already read in the Bible beside what we are currently reading. In Deuteronomy 6 Moses gave a speech to the Israelites that fits right into what we are reading about King Ahab and King Jehoshaphat today. If Moses could have met these two kings, I don’t think he would have changed a word of what he said 550 years earlier.

Since Jehoshaphat diligently educated the people of Judah in the Law, Moses would have commended him for heeding what he said in Deuteronomy 6:6-9:

“These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.”

On the other hand, since King Ahab led the people of Israel into the worship of foreign gods, Moses would probably have reminded him of these words:

“Fear the Lord your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name. Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you; for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a jealous God and his anger will burn against you, and he will destroy you from the face of the land. Do not test the Lord your God.” Deuteronomy 6:13-16

Sadly, God eventually did destroy the family of Ahab and wipe them from the face of the land.

Four Hundred Prophets

King Jehoshaphat was paying King Ahab a state visit when Ahab suggested that they go to war together.

Earlier King Ahab had defeated Ben-Hadad in battle and made a treaty with him that included Ben-Hadad’s promise to restore captured land to Israel. Apparently Ben-Hadad reneged on the agreement and Ahab planned to take Ramoth Gilead back by force. Jehoshaphat was remarkably congenial toward King Ahab, and he agreed to fight alongside him as long as they sought God in the matter first.

The two kings sat on thrones in a large open space in Samaria and watched as 400 prophets told them they would win the war in Ramoth Gilead. The prophet Zedekiah made two iron horns and dramatized how Israel would defeat Aram.

“He declared, ‘This is what the Lord says: With these you will gore the Arameans until they are destroyed.’ All the other prophets were prophesying the same thing. ‘Attack Ramoth Gilead and be victorious,’ they said ‘for the Lord will give it into the king’s hand.’” 1 Kings 22:11-12

Jehoshaphat wasn’t satisfied with these prophecies and asked if there was a real prophet of God they could hear from. Ahab had one; it was Micaiah of Imlah, whom he hated because he was a truth teller who usually prophesied against Ahab, but he sent for him anyway.

Micaiah the Prophet

“The messenger who had gone to summon Micaiah said to him, ‘Look, the other prophets without exception are predicting success for the king. Let your word agree with theirs, and speak favorably.’ But Micaiah said, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, I can tell him only what the Lord tells me.’ When he arrived, the king asked him, ‘Micaiah, shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead or not?’” 1 Kings 22:13-15

Micaiah told Ahab what he wanted to hear, but Ahab knew he was lying. He demanded that Micaiah tell the truth, so Micaiah shared the real prophetic vision God had given him. Ahab’s nation of Israel was about to be scattered like sheep without a shepherd.

In his vision Micaiah saw into the spiritual realm and there God conferred with spirits gathered around his throne. He asked for a way to bring an end to Ahab, and one spirit offered to deceive Israel’s 400 prophets.

“So now the Lord has put a deceiving spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of yours. The Lord has decreed disaster for you.” 1 Kings 22:23

Zedekiah slapped Micaiah for saying this and Ahab ordered him to prison to live on bread and water until Ahab safely returned from battle. Micaiah didn’t back down.

“Micaiah declared, ‘If you ever return safely, the Lord has not spoken through me.’ Then he added, ‘Mark my words, all you people.’” 1 Kings 22:28

What a brave prophet! He knew that the fulfillment of this prophecy probably meant bread and water in prison for the rest of his life.

Ahab and Jehoshaphat Go to War

It’s hard to understand why Jehoshaphat still went with Ahab to Ramoth Gilead after hearing Micaiah’s prophecy. He even agreed to dress in his royal robes, which made him an easy target for the Arameans. Ahab, meanwhile, wore a disguise so the enemy couldn’t identify him in the heat of battle.

If Ahab hoped Jehoshaphat would serve as a decoy, it worked. The Arameans saw Jehoshaphat dressed like a king and turned to attack him. But Jehoshaphat cried out to God and the Lord rescued him.

Ahab wasn’t spared, however. A random shot from an archer penetrated a gap in his armor and he slowly bled to death, propped up in his chariot. He died at sunset and the battle ended as the Israelites retreated. They brought Ahab’s body to Samaria for burial and dogs licked up the blood washed from his chariot, just as had been prophesied.

Ahab’s son Ahaziah succeeded him on Israel’s throne and he was just as bad as his father. He, too, led Israel to worship Baal, and aroused God’s anger.

Good King Jehoshaphat

Jehoshaphat’s only major weakness seems to have been his inexplicable fondness for the kings of Israel. When he returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem, God sent the prophet Jehu to rebuke him for his alliance with Ahab.

“Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, the wrath of the Lord is on you. There is, however, some good in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles and have set your heart on seeking God.” 2 Chronicles 19:2-3

King Jehoshaphat was loyal to the Lord and he did some much-needed work in Judah to align the nation with the Law of God. He set up a judicial system and warned the judges and priests to represent the Lord faithfully with their decisions.

“He told them, ‘Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging for mere mortals but for the Lord, who is with you whenever you give a verdict. Now let the fear of the Lord be on you. Judge carefully, for with the Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.” 2 Chronicles 19:6-7

God Fights for Judah

A vast army comprised of troops from all of the nations on the east side of the Jordan River gathered in Edom to attack Judah. They began a steady march north through Judah and when they reached En Gedi, southwest of Jerusalem Jehoshaphat heard about them.

“Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.” 2 Chronicles 20:3-4

Jehoshaphat gave a great public prayer of faith and God responded by telling Judah that he was going to fight for them. The Levite Jahaziel stood and prophesied.

“He said: ‘Llisten, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! . . . Do not be afraid or discouraged . . . for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” 2 Chronicles 20:15

Jahaziel told Judah to march out to meet the vast army. They would find the enemy climbing up through a gorge and would be able to see God defeat them. Jehoshaphat was so moved by what he heard that he bowed to the ground and worshiped God. The people followed his example.

The next day the people of Judah set off to meet their enemy singing and praising God. As they moved south God set ambushes among the men who were invading Judah. The Ammonites and Moabites turned against the Edomites and then against each other. By the time Judah reached the overlook where they could view their enemies, there were only dead bodies lying on the ground. No one had escaped.

Judah Celebrates the Victory

Jehoshaphat and his men descended into the ravine and spent three days collecting clothing, military equipment, and other valuables from the dead soldiers. They spent the fourth day praising God in the Valley of Berakah.

When they returned to Jerusalem they went directly to the temple and worshiped God with harps and lyres and trumpets.

“The fear of God came on all the surrounding kingdoms when they heard how the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.” 2 Chronicles 20:29-30

It’s too bad that Ahab didn’t follow the Law of Moses. But how wonderful for Judah that King Jehoshaphat did.