MICAIAH PROPHESIES AGAINST AHAB 2 CHRONICLES 18:1-34

Transcription

1 1 MICAIAH PROPHESIES AGAINST AHAB 2 CHRONICLES 18:1-34

2 2 Text: MICAIAH PROPHESIES AGAINST AHAB 2 Chronicles 18:1-34, 1. Jehoshaphat was very wealthy and greatly respected. He made an alliance by marriage with Ahab, 2. and after several years went down to visit Ahab in Samaria. Ahab slaughtered many sheep and cattle to honor Jehoshaphat and those who came with him. He persuaded him to join in an attack against Ramoth Gilead. 3. King Ahab of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Will you go with me to attack Ramoth Gilead? Jehoshaphat replied to the king of Israel, I will support you; my army is at your disposal and will support you in battle. 4. Then Jehoshaphat added, First seek an oracle from the Lord. 5. So the king of Israel assembled 400 prophets and asked them, Should we attack Ramoth Gilead or not? They said, Attack! God will hand it over to the king. 6. But Jehoshaphat asked, Is there not a prophet of the Lord still here, that we may ask him? 7. The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, There is still one man through whom we can seek the Lord s will. But I despise him because he does not prophesy prosperity for me, but always disaster. His name is Micaiah son of Imlah. Jehoshaphat said, The king should not say such things! 8. The king of Israel summoned an officer and said, Quickly bring Micaiah son of Imlah. 9. Now the king of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah were sitting on their respective thrones, dressed in their

3 3 royal robes, at the threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria. All the prophets were prophesying before them. 10. Zedekiah son of Kenaanah made iron horns and said, This is what the Lord says, With these you will gore Syria until they are destroyed! 11. All the prophets were prophesying the same, saying, Attack Ramoth Gilead! You will succeed; the Lord will hand it over to the king! 12. Now the messenger who went to summon Micaiah said to him, Look, the prophets are in complete agreement that the king will succeed. Your words must agree with theirs; you must predict success! 13. But Micaiah said, As certainly as the Lord lives, I will say what my God tells me to say! 14. Micaiah came before the king and the king asked him, Micaiah, should we attack Ramoth Gilead or not? He answered him, Attack! You will succeed; they will be handed over to you. 15. The king said to him, How many times must I make you solemnly promise in the name of the Lord to tell me only the truth? 16. Micaiah replied, I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains like sheep that have no shepherd. Then the Lord said, They have no master. They should go home in peace. 17. The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Didn t I tell you he does not prophesy prosperity for me, but disaster? 18. Micaiah said, That being the case, hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, with all the heavenly assembly standing on his right and on his left.

4 The Lord said, Who will deceive King Ahab of Israel, so he will attack Ramoth Gilead and die there? One said this and another that. 20. Then a spirit stepped forward and stood before the Lord. He said, I will deceive him. The Lord asked him, How? 21. He replied, I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets. The Lord said, Deceive and overpower him. Go out and do as you have proposed. 22. So now, look, the Lord has placed a lying spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of yours, but the Lord has decreed disaster for you. 23. Zedekiah son of Kenaanah approached, hit Micaiah on the jaw, and said, Which way did the Lord s spirit go when he went from me to speak to you? 24. Micaiah replied, Look, you will see in the day when you go into an inner room to hide. 25. Then the king of Israel said, Take Micaiah and return him to Amon the city official and Joash the king s son. 26. Say, This is what the king says: Put this man in prison. Give him only a little bread and water until I return safely. 27. Micaiah said, If you really do return safely, then the Lord has not spoken through me! Then he added, Take note, all you people. 28. The king of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah attacked Ramoth Gilead. 29. The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself and then enter the battle, but you wear your royal attire. So the king of Israel disguised himself and they entered the battle.

5 Now the king of Syria had ordered his chariot commanders, Do not fight common soldiers or high ranking officers; fight only the king of Israel! 31. When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they said, He must be the king of Israel! So they turned and attacked him, but Jehoshaphat cried out. The Lord helped him; God lured them away from him. 32. When the chariot commanders realized he was not the king of Israel, they turned away from him. 33. Now an archer shot an arrow at random and it struck the king of Israel between the plates of his armor. The king ordered his charioteer, Turn around and take me from the battle line, for I am wounded. 34. While the battle raged throughout the day, the king stood propped up in his chariot opposite the Syrians. He died in the evening as the sun was setting. (NET) Introduction: I. Parallel passages: A. 2 Chronicles 18:1-34, Jehoshaphat was very wealthy and greatly respected. He made an alliance by marriage with Ahab, and after several years went down to visit Ahab in Samaria. Ahab slaughtered many sheep and cattle to honor Jehoshaphat and those who came with him. He persuaded him to join in an attack against Ramoth Gilead. King Ahab of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Will you go with me to attack Ramoth Gilead? Jehoshaphat replied to the king of Israel, I will support you; my army is at your disposal and will support you in battle. Then Jehoshaphat added, First seek an oracle from the

6 6 Lord. So the king of Israel assembled 400 prophets and asked them, Should we attack Ramoth Gilead or not? They said, Attack! God will hand it over to the king. But Jehoshaphat asked, Is there not a prophet of the Lord still here, that we may ask him? The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, There is still one man through whom we can seek the Lord s will. But I despise him because he does not prophesy prosperity for me, but always disaster. His name is Micaiah son of Imlah. Jehoshaphat said, The king should not say such things! The king of Israel summoned an officer and said, Quickly bring Micaiah son of Imlah. Now the king of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah were sitting on their respective thrones, dressed in their royal robes, at the threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria. All the prophets were prophesying before them. Zedekiah son of Kenaanah made iron horns and said, This is what the Lord says, With these you will gore Syria until they are destroyed! All the prophets were prophesying the same, saying, Attack Ramoth Gilead! You will succeed; the Lord will hand it over to the king! Now the messenger who went to summon Micaiah said to him, Look, the prophets are in complete agreement that the king will succeed. Your words must agree with theirs; you must predict success! But Micaiah said, As certainly as the Lord lives, I will say what my God tells me to say! Micaiah came before the king and the king asked him, Micaiah, should we attack Ramoth Gilead or not? He answered him, Attack! You will succeed; they will be handed over to you. The king said to him, How many times must I make you solemnly promise

7 7 in the name of the Lord to tell me only the truth? Micaiah replied, I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains like sheep that have no shepherd. Then the Lord said, They have no master. They should go home in peace. The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Didn t I tell you he does not prophesy prosperity for me, but disaster? Micaiah said, That being the case, hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, with all the heavenly assembly standing on his right and on his left. The Lord said, Who will deceive King Ahab of Israel, so he will attack Ramoth Gilead and die there? One said this and another that. Then a spirit stepped forward and stood before the Lord. He said, I will deceive him. The Lord asked him, How? He replied, I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets. The Lord said, Deceive and overpower him. Go out and do as you have proposed. So now, look, the Lord has placed a lying spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of yours, but the Lord has decreed disaster for you. Zedekiah son of Kenaanah approached, hit Micaiah on the jaw, and said, Which way did the Lord s spirit go when he went from me to speak to you? Micaiah replied, Look, you will see in the day when you go into an inner room to hide. Then the king of Israel said, Take Micaiah and return him to Amon the city official and Joash the king s son. Say, This is what the king says: Put this man in prison. Give him only a little bread and water until I return safely. Micaiah said, If you really do return safely, then the Lord has not spoken through me! Then he added, Take note, all you people. The king of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah

8 8 attacked Ramoth Gilead. The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself and then enter the battle, but you wear your royal attire. So the king of Israel disguised himself and they entered the battle. Now the king of Syria had ordered his chariot commanders, Do not fight common soldiers or high ranking officers; fight only the king of Israel! When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they said, He must be the king of Israel! So they turned and attacked him, but Jehoshaphat cried out. The Lord helped him; God lured them away from him. When the chariot commanders realized he was not the king of Israel, they turned away from him. Now an archer shot an arrow at random and it struck the king of Israel between the plates of his armor. The king ordered his charioteer, Turn around and take me from the battle line, for I am wounded. While the battle raged throughout the day, the king stood propped up in his chariot opposite the Syrians. He died in the evening as the sun was setting. (NET) B. 1 Kings 22:1-53, There was no war between Syria and Israel for three years. In the third year King Jehoshaphat of Judah came down to visit the king of Israel. The king of Israel said to his servants, Surely you recognize that Ramoth Gilead belongs to us, though we are hesitant to reclaim it from the king of Syria. Then he said to Jehoshaphat, Will you go with me to attack Ramoth Gilead? Jehoshaphat replied to the king of Israel, I will support you; my army and horses are at your disposal. Then Jehoshaphat added, First seek an oracle from the Lord. So the king of Israel assembled about four

9 9 hundred prophets and asked them, Should I attack Ramoth Gilead or not? They said, Attack! The sovereign one will hand it over to the king. But Jehoshaphat asked, Is there not a prophet of the Lord still here, that we may ask him? The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, There is still one man through whom we can seek the Lord s will. But I despise him because he does not prophesy prosperity for me, but disaster. His name is Micaiah son of Imlah. Jehoshaphat said, The king should not say such things. The king of Israel summoned an official and said, Quickly bring Micaiah son of Imlah. Now the king of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah were sitting on their respective thrones, dressed in their robes, at the threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria. All the prophets were prophesying before them. Zedekiah son of Kenaanah made iron horns and said, This is what the Lord says, With these you will gore Syria until they are destroyed. All the prophets were prophesying the same, saying, Attack Ramoth Gilead! You will succeed; the Lord will hand it over to the king. Now the messenger who went to summon Micaiah said to him, Look, the prophets are in complete agreement that the king will succeed. Your words must agree with theirs; you must predict success. But Micaiah said, As certainly as the Lord lives, I will say what the Lord tells me to say. When he came before the king, the king asked him, Micaiah, should we attack Ramoth Gilead or not? He answered him, Attack! You will succeed; the Lord will hand it over to the king. The king said to him, How many times must I make you solemnly promise in the name of the Lord

10 10 to tell me only the truth? Micaiah said, I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains like sheep that have no shepherd. Then the Lord said, They have no master. They should go home in peace. The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Didn t I tell you he does not prophesy prosperity for me, but disaster? Micaiah said, That being the case, hear the word of the Lord. I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, with all the heavenly assembly standing on his right and on his left. The Lord said, Who will deceive Ahab, so he will attack Ramoth Gilead and die there? One said this and another that. Then a spirit stepped forward and stood before the Lord. He said, I will deceive him. The Lord asked him, How? He replied, I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets. The Lord said, Deceive and overpower him. Go out and do as you have proposed. So now, look, the Lord has placed a lying spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of yours, but the Lord has decreed disaster for you. Zedekiah son of Kenaanah approached, hit Micaiah on the jaw, and said, Which way did the Lord s spirit go when he went from me to speak to you? Micaiah replied, Look, you will see in the day when you go into an inner room to hide. Then the king of Israel said, Take Micaiah and return him to Amon the city official and Joash the king s son. Say, This is what the king says, Put this man in prison. Give him only a little bread and water until I safely return. Micaiah said, If you really do safely return, then the Lord has not spoken through me. Then he added, Take note, all you people. The king of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah attacked Ramoth Gilead. The king of Israel said to

11 11 Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself and then enter into the battle, but you wear your royal robes. So the king of Israel disguised himself and then entered into the battle. Now the king of Syria had ordered his thirty-two chariot commanders, Do not fight common soldiers or high-ranking officers; fight only the king of Israel. When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they said, He must be the king of Israel. So they turned and attacked him, but Jehoshaphat cried out. When the chariot commanders realized he was not the king of Israel, they turned away from him. Now an archer shot an arrow at random, and it struck the king of Israel between the plates of his armor. The king ordered his charioteer, Turn around and take me from the battle line, because I m wounded. While the battle raged throughout the day, the king stood propped up in his chariot opposite the Syrians. He died in the evening; the blood from the wound ran down into the bottom of the chariot. As the sun was setting, a cry went through the camp, Each one should return to his city and to his homeland. So the king died and was taken to Samaria, where they buried him. They washed off the chariot at the pool of Samaria (this was where the prostitutes bathed); dogs licked his blood, just as the Lord had said would happen. The rest of the events of Ahab s reign, including a record of his accomplishments and how he built a luxurious palace and various cities, are recorded in the scroll called the Annals of the Kings of Israel. Ahab passed away. His son Ahaziah replaced him as king. In the fourth year of King Ahab s reign over Israel, Asa s son Jehoshaphat became king over Judah. Jehoshaphat

12 12 was thirty-five years old when he became king and he reigned for twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother was Azubah, the daughter of Shilhi. He followed in his father Asa s footsteps and was careful to do what the Lord approved. (22:44) However, the high places were not eliminated; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense on the high places. (22:45) Jehoshaphat was also at peace with the king of Israel. The rest of the events of Jehoshaphat s reign, including his successes and military exploits, are recorded in the scroll called the Annals of the Kings of Judah. He removed from the land any male cultic prostitutes who had managed to survive the reign of his father Asa. There was no king in Edom at this time; a governor ruled. Jehoshaphat built a fleet of large merchant ships to travel to Ophir for gold, but they never made the voyage because they were shipwrecked in Ezion Geber. Then Ahaziah son of Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, Let my sailors join yours in the fleet, but Jehoshaphat refused. Jehoshaphat passed away and was buried with his ancestors in the city of his ancestor David. His son Jehoram replaced him as king. In the seventeenth year of King Jehoshaphat s reign over Judah, Ahab s son Ahaziah became king over Israel in Samaria. He ruled for two years over Israel. He did evil in the sight of the Lord and followed in the footsteps of his father and mother; like Jeroboam son of Nebat, he encouraged Israel to sin. He worshiped and bowed down to Baal, angering the Lord God of Israel just as his father had done. (NET) II. Jehoshaphat had to choose between Ahab and God. (Hicks)

13 13 Commentary: Micaiah Prophesies Against Ahab 2 Chronicles 18:1, Jehoshaphat was very wealthy and greatly respected. He made an alliance by marriage with Ahab, (NET) I. Now Jehoshaphat had great wealth and honor,... A. God had blessed Jehoshaphat with wealth, honor and a time of national peace because of Jehoshaphat s dedication to the Lord. B. The great wealth and honor enjoyed by Jehoshaphat may have been a reason Ahab was willing to form an alliance with him. (The Pulpit Commentary) II. and he allied himself with Ahab by marriage. A. This was a monumental mistake! B. Jehoshaphat was forbidden of the Lord to become entangled with foreign nations. 1. This was certainly inclusive of idolatrous Israel and wicked Ahab. (See Hicks.) C. Jehoshaphat took Ahab s and Jezebel s daughter Athaliah to be the wife of his son Joram/Jehoram. 1. This was a horribly bad decision!

14 Judah, innocent citizens by the thousands, would suffer by this affinity between the kings of Judah and Israel Chronicles 21:4-7, Jehoram took control of his father s kingdom and became powerful. Then he killed all his brothers, as well as some of the officials of Israel. Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king and he reigned for eight years in Jerusalem. He followed in the footsteps of the kings of Israel, just as Ahab s dynasty had done, for he married Ahab s daughter. He did evil in the sight of the Lord. But the Lord was unwilling to destroy David s dynasty because of the promise he had made to give David a perpetual dynasty. (NET) D. Matthew Henry suggests: 1. With his wealth and position, Jehoshaphat was not disposed to marry his son to a commoner nor a Gentile heathen ruler, so that left Ahab. 2. Jehoshaphat may have formed this affinity with Ahab with hopes that the nation, north and south, could one day be reunited. E. Jehoshaphat got himself into big trouble because he kept company with a bad person, Ahab. 2 Chronicles 18:2, and after several years went down to visit Ahab in Samaria. Ahab slaughtered many sheep and cattle to honor Jehoshaphat and those who came with

15 15 him. He persuaded him to join in an attack against Ramoth Gilead. (NET) I. Some years later he went down to visit Ahab in Samaria. A. Jerusalem was higher in elevation than Samaria. 1. Consequently, Jehoshaphat went down to Samaria. B. This visit with Ahab took place at least nine (9) years after Jehoshaphat s son Joram married Athaliah. (The Pulpit Commentary) 1. This visit was made in the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat s reign. a. 1 Kings 22:51, In the seventeenth year of King Jehoshaphat s reign over Judah, Ahab s son Ahaziah became king over Israel in Samaria. He ruled for two years over Israel. (NET) b. 2 Chronicles 20:35, Jehoram took control of his father s kingdom and became powerful. Then he killed all his brothers, as well as some of the officials of Israel. 5 Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king and he reigned for eight years in Jerusalem. 6 He followed in the footsteps of the kings of Israel, just as Ahab s dynasty had done, for he married Ahab s daughter. He did evil in the sight of the Lord. 7 But the Lord was unwilling to destroy David s

16 16 dynasty because of the promise he had made to give David a perpetual dynasty. (NET) c. 2 Kings 3:1, In the eighteenth year of King Jehoshaphat s reign over Judah, Ahab s son Jehoram became king over Israel in Samaria; he ruled for twelve years. (NET) II. Ahab slaughtered many sheep and cattle for Jehoshaphat and the people with him... A. Ahab insincerely honored Jehoshaphat for selfish, personal reasons. B. This flattery was grandiose, the splendor of which was in keeping with customs associated with royalty in those days. (Matthew Henry) III. urged (persuaded) him to attack Ramoth Gilead. A. Ramoth Gilead (heights of Gilead) was an important fortified city in the territory of Gad near the border of Israel and Syria. It was located approximately twenty-five (25) miles east of the Jordan River. (Youngblood) B. While Ramoth Gilead was within the territory of Gad, at this time it was held by, under the control of, the king of Syria, Aram. 1. Joshua 20:8, Beyond the Jordan east of Jericho they selected Bezer in the desert on the plain belonging to the tribe of Reuben, Ramoth

17 17 in Gilead belonging to the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan belonging to the tribe of Manasseh. (NET) 2. Joshua 21:38, from the tribe of Gad: Ramoth in Gilead (a city of refuge for one who committed manslaughter), Mahanaim, (NET) 3. 1 Kings 20:34, Ben Hadad said, I will return the cities my father took from your father. You may set up markets in Damascus, just as my father did in Samaria. Ahab then said, I want to make a treaty with you before I dismiss you. So he made a treaty with him and then dismissed him. (NET) C. I gave you a big party. I want you to help me fight Ramoth Gilead. Was this what Ahab was saying? 1. Matthew Henry thought this was the case. 2 Chronicles 18:3, King Ahab of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Will you go with me to attack Ramoth Gilead? Jehoshaphat replied to the king of Israel, I will support you; my army is at your disposal and will support you in battle. (NET) I. Ahab king of Israel asked Jehoshaphat king of Judah,... II. Will you go with me (in battle) against Ramoth Gilead? III. Jehoshaphat replied, I am as you are, and my people as your people;...

18 18 A. This expression is used here in regard to Ramoth Gilead and again, two years later, when Joram/Jehoram, son of the deceased Ahab, also asked Jehoshaphat s help against Moab Kings 22:1, There was no war between Syria and Israel for three years. (NET) 2. 2 Kings 3:4-7, Now King Mesha of Moab was a sheep breeder. He would send as tribute to the king of Israel 100,000 male lambs and the wool of 100,000 rams. When Ahab died, the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel. At that time King Jehoram left Samaria and assembled all Israel for war. He sent this message to King Jehoshaphat of Judah: The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you fight with me against Moab? Jehoshaphat replied, I will join you in the campaign; my army and horses are at your disposal. (NET) B. Joram/Jehoram was the name of the son and successor of Jehoshaphat as king of Judah. This Joram/Jehoram reigned eight years in Jerusalem. His brother-in-law, who was also named Joram/Jehoram, reigned in Israel twelve (12) years. (Youngblood) IV. we will join you in the war. A. This commitment was made before Jehoshaphat had determined what God through his prophets would have to say.

19 19 B. All our decisions are to be made in view of, What would God have me to do in this situation? C. Even after hearing what God s prophet (Micaiah) had to say, Jehoshaphat did not change his plans to go to war with Ahab. 1. Not the hearers, but the doers of the law are justified before God. 2 Chronicles 18:4, Then Jehoshaphat added, First seek an oracle from the Lord. (NET) I. But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, First seek the counsel of the Lord. A. 1 Kings 22:5, Then Jehoshaphat added, First seek an oracle from the Lord. (NET) B. This may have been an honest inquiry, a means of soothing his conscience. 1. However, Jehu the seer later told Jehoshaphat he had no business helping wicked Ahab. a. 2 Chronicles 19:1-3, When King Jehoshaphat of Judah returned home safely to Jerusalem, the prophet Jehu son of Hanani confronted him; he said to King Jehoshaphat, Is it right to help the wicked and be an ally of those who oppose the Lord? Because you have done this the Lord

20 20 is angry with you! Nevertheless you have done some good things; you removed the Asherah poles from the land and you were determined to follow the Lord. (NET) 2 Chronicles 18:5, So the king of Israel assembled 400 prophets and asked them, Should we attack Ramoth Gilead or not? They said, Attack! God will hand it over to the king. (NET) I. So the king of Israel brought together the prophets fourhundred men and asked them,... A. These prophets were certainly not chosen randomly, but were no doubt those known by Ahab to say what he wanted to hear. B. The Pulpit Commentary reads that these were not prophets of Asherah, nor of Baal, but strictly of Israel; that is, of the images of the calf Kings 12:26-33, Jeroboam then thought to himself: Now the Davidic dynasty could regain the kingdom. If these people go up to offer sacrifices in the Lord s temple in Jerusalem, their loyalty could shift to their former master, King Rehoboam of Judah. They might kill me and return to King Rehoboam of Judah. After the king had consulted with his advisers, he made two golden calves. Then he said to the people, It is too much trouble for you to go up to Jerusalem. Look, Israel, here are your gods who brought you up from the land of Egypt. He put

21 21 one in Bethel and the other in Dan. This caused Israel to sin; the people went to Bethel and Dan to worship the calves. He built temples on the high places and appointed as priests people who were not Levites. Jeroboam inaugurated a festival on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, like the festival celebrated in Judah. On the altar in Bethel he offered sacrifices to the calves he had made. In Bethel he also appointed priests for the high places he had made. On the fifteenth day of the eighth month (a date he had arbitrarily chosen) Jeroboam offered sacrifices on the altar he had made in Bethel. He inaugurated a festival for the Israelites and went up to the altar to offer sacrifices. (NET) 2. Their word speedily showed itself not to be the word of the Lord, but the word that was made up to order of the king, and to suit his known wish at any time. II. Shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain? III. Go, they answered, for God will give it into the king s hand. A. It was customary for all nations of that era to consult with their respective deities before going to war. 2 Chronicles 18:6, But Jehoshaphat asked, Is there not a prophet of the Lord still here, that we may ask him? (NET)

22 22 I. But Jehoshaphat asked, Is there not a prophet of the Lord here whom we can inquire of? A. Jehoshaphat insisted that they consult a prophet of the Lord. 1. The four-hundred (400) prophets Ahab had consulted were prophets of Baal whom Ahab worshiped. (See Coffman.) a. 1 Kings 22:51-53, In the seventeenth year of King Jehoshaphat s reign over Judah, Ahab s son Ahaziah became king over Israel in Samaria. He ruled for two years over Israel. He did evil in the sight of the Lord and followed in the footsteps of his father and mother; like Jeroboam son of Nebat, he encouraged Israel to sin. He worshiped and bowed down to Baal, angering the Lord God of Israel just as his father had done. (NET) B. Both Jehoshaphat and Ahab well knew that the fourhundred (400) prophets were not Jehovah s spokesmen. 2 Chronicles 18:7, The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, There is still one man through whom we can seek the Lord s will. But I despise him because he does not prophesy prosperity for me, but always disaster. His name is Micaiah son of Imlah. Jehoshaphat said, The king should not say such things! (NET) I. The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, There is still one man through whom we can inquire of the Lord,...

23 23 II. but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad. III. He is Micaiah son of Imlah. IV. The king should not say that, Jehoshaphat replied. A. Jehoshaphat did not share Ahab s religious views. (Hicks) 2 Chronicles 18:8, The king of Israel summoned an officer and said, Quickly bring Micaiah son of Imlah. (NET) I. So the king of Israel called one of his officials and said,... II. Bring Micaiah son of Imlah at once. 2 Chronicles 18:9, Now the king of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah were sitting on their respective thrones, dressed in their royal robes, at the threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria. All the prophets were prophesying before them. (NET) I. Dressed in their royal robes, the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah were sitting on their thrones... A. Micaiah was not the least intimidated by all this pomp and ceremony. II. at the threshing floor by the entrance to the gate of Samaria,... III. with all the prophets prophesying before them.

24 24 A. The false prophets of Baal continued their public performances and declarations of their false prognostications while Micaiah was enroute. (See Hicks.) B. They false prophets were concerned about their religious position and place of political influence. (See Hicks.) 1. There were certainly not interested in religious truth. (See Hicks.) C. God had given Ahab up to strong delusions, to believe lies, because he had not received the love of the truth, but rebelled against it. 2 Chronicles 18:10, Zedekiah son of Kenaanah made iron horns and said, This is what the Lord says, With these you will gore Syria until they are destroyed! (NET) I. Now Zedekiah son of Kenaanah (Chenaanah) had made iron horns, and he declared,... A. While claiming to be declaring God s truth, Hicks observed that Zedekiah used traditional Canaanite symbolism of the bull. B. However, Jacob referred to Joseph under the figure of a bull. 1. Deuteronomy 33:17, May the firstborn of his bull bring him honor, and may his horns be those of a wild ox; with them may he gore all peoples, all the far reaches of the earth. They are the ten

25 25 thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh. (NET) C. Horns were a symbol of power, and iron was a symbol of invincible power. II. This is what the Lord says: With these you will gore the Arameans until they are destroyed. A. Zedekiah professes now to be a spokesmen of the Lord. 1. Zedekiah was ready to say whatever was popular at the time without regard for truth and conviction. 2. Perhaps Zedekiah did speak the word the Lord gave him. (See Hicks.) a. 2 Chronicles 18:22, So now, look, the Lord has placed a lying spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of yours, but the Lord has decreed disaster for you. (NET) 2 Chronicles 18:11, All the prophets were prophesying the same, saying, Attack Ramoth Gilead! You will succeed; the Lord will hand it over to the king! (NET) I. All the other prophets were prophesying the same thing. A. The majority view is not necessarily God s view. II. Attack Ramoth Gilead and be victorious, they said, for the Lord will give it into the king s hand.

26 Chronicles 18:12, Now the messenger who went to summon Micaiah said to him, Look, the prophets are in complete agreement that the king will succeed. Your words must agree with theirs; you must predict success! (NET) I. The messenger who had gone to summon Micaiah said to him, Look, as one man the other prophets are predicting success for the king. A. We are not to depart from God s way and word regardless of who is trying to influence us. 1. The royal messenger tried to influence Micaiah to tell Ahab what he wanted to hear, to speak in agreement with the other prophets Ahab had consulted. 2. Prophets were regularly consulted by kings to determine whether diety would bless their efforts, but prophets often were only concerned with telling kings what they wanted to hear. 3. Micaiah swore that he would only speak what God told him to say. (See Hicks.) II. Let your word agree with theirs, and speak favorably. A. The confrontation between true and false prophets is the heart of this narrative, Hicks wrote. 2 Chronicles 18:13, But Micaiah said, As certainly as the Lord lives, I will say what my God tells me to say! (NET)

27 27 I. But Micaiah said, As surely as the Lord lives, I can tell him only what my God says. A. Micaiah was a most honorable man devoted fully to the Lord. B. He could not bring himself to teach anything other than exactly what God said. C. The world needs more servants like Micaiah! D. Balaam said something similar to this, but was not dedicated to God as was Balaam. 1. Numbers 23:12, Balaam replied, Must I not be careful to speak what the Lord has put in my mouth? (NET) 2 Chronicles 18:14, Micaiah came before the king and the king asked him, Micaiah, should we attack Ramoth Gilead or not? He answered him, Attack! You will succeed; they will be handed over to you. (NET) I. When he arrived, the king asked him, Micaiah, shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain? II. Attack and be victorious, he answered for they will be given into your hand. A. This was a sarcastic, ironic response to Ahab s question and Ahab recognized it as such. 1. Micaiah was mocking wicked king Ahab.

28 Micaiah does not here say that this is the official word from God. a. Micaiah was through satire and ridicule telling Ahab what he wanted to hear. b. This was out of character for Micaiah and was seen by Ahab for what it was. 3. Micaiah answered Ahab, a fool, according to his folly. a. Proverbs 26:5, Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own estimation. (NET) 2 Chronicles 18:15, The king said to him, How many times must I make you solemnly promise in the name of the Lord to tell me only the truth? (NET) I. The king said to him, How many times must I make you swear to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord? A. Micaiah knew Ahab was not interested in what the Lord had to say and that it was not beneficial to cast God s pearls before swine. 2 Chronicles 18:16, Micaiah replied, I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains like sheep that have no shepherd. Then the Lord said, They have no master. They should go home in peace. (NET)

29 29 I. Then Micaiah answered, I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd, and... A. This parable must have been perfectly clear to Ahab. 1. A noble leader does not leave his people scattered all over like sheep without a shepherd. 2. Numbers 27:17, who will go out before them, and who will come in before them, and who will lead them out, and who will bring them in, so that the community of the Lord may not be like sheep that have no shepherd. (NET) II. The Lord said, These people have no master. Let each one go home in peace. A. Ahab would be killed and the people would be scattered as sheep without a shepherd. B. After the military defeat, the people would go home in peace. 2 Chronicles 18:17, The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Didn t I tell you he does not prophesy prosperity for me, but disaster? (NET) I. The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Didn t I tell you that he never prophesies anything good about me, but only bad? A. Could it be that Micaiah did not prophesy good things about Ahab because Ahab was living in rebellion against God?

30 30 B. Micaiah told Ahab the truth, but Ahab refused to head it and persecuted God s prophet. 2 Chronicles 18:18, Micaiah said, That being the case, hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, with all the heavenly assembly standing on his right and on his left. (NET) I. Micaiah continued, Therefore hear the word of the Lord: A. Ahab did not want to hear anymore, but Micaiah wasn t through talking yet. 1. God had more for Micaiah to tell Ahab. II. I saw the Lord sitting on his throne with all the host of heaven standing on his right and on his left. A. Micaiah had seen a vision which he now relates along with its interpretation as divinely revealed. (See Hicks.) B. Job 1:6-12, Now the day came when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord and Satan also arrived among them. The Lord said to Satan, Where have you come from? And Satan answered the Lord, From roving about on the earth, and from walking back and forth across it. So the Lord said to Satan, Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth, a pure and upright man, one who fears God and turns away from evil. Then Satan answered the Lord, Is it for nothing that Job fears God? Have you not made a

31 31 hedge around him and his household and all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his livestock have increased in the land. But extend your hand and strike everything he has, and he will no doubt curse you to your face! So the Lord said to Satan, All right then, everything he has is in your power. Only do not extend your hand against the man himself! So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord. (NET) 2 Chronicles 18:19, The Lord said, Who will deceive King Ahab of Israel, so he will attack Ramoth Gilead and die there? One said this and another that. (NET) I. And the Lord said, Who will entice Ahab king of Israel into attacking Ramoth Gilead and going to his death there? II. One suggested this, and another that. 2 Chronicles 18:20, Then a spirit stepped forward and stood before the Lord. He said, I will deceive him. The Lord asked him, How? (NET) I. Finally, a spirit came forward, stood before the Lord and said, I will entice him. II. By what means? the Lord asked. 2 Chronicles 18:21, He replied, I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets. The Lord said, Deceive and overpower him. Go out and do as you have proposed. (NET)

32 32 I. I will go and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets, he said. II. You will succeed in enticing him, said the Lord. Go and do it. 2 Chronicles 18:22, So now, look, the Lord has placed a lying spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of yours, but the Lord has decreed disaster for you. (NET) I. So now the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouths of these prophets of yours. A. The decision to entice Ahab through deception is sanctioned by God, Hicks noted. B. 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12, Consequently God sends on them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false. 12 And so all of them who have not believed the truth but have delighted in evil will be condemned. (NET) C. Stiff-necked people who rebel against God are ripe for being deceived! D. Ezekiel 14:1-11, Then some men from Israel s elders came to me and sat down in front of me. The word of the Lord came to me: Son of man, these men have erected their idols in their hearts and placed the obstacle leading to their iniquity right before their faces. Should I really allow them to seek me? Therefore speak to them and say to them, This is what the sovereign Lord says: When any one from

33 33 the house of Israel erects his idols in his heart and sets the obstacle leading to his iniquity before his face, and then consults a prophet, I the Lord am determined to answer him personally according to the enormity of his idolatry. I will do this in order to capture the hearts of the house of Israel, who have alienated themselves from me on account of all their idols. Therefore say to the house of Israel, This is what the sovereign Lord says: Return! Turn from your idols, and turn your faces away from your abominations. For when anyone from the house of Israel, or the foreigner who lives in Israel, separates himself from me and erects his idols in his heart and sets the obstacle leading to his iniquity before his face, and then consults a prophet to seek something from me, I the Lord am determined to answer him personally. I will set my face against that person and will make him an object lesson and a byword and will cut him off from among my people. Then you will know that I am the Lord. As for the prophet, if he is made a fool by being deceived into speaking a prophetic word I, the Lord, have made a fool of that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand against him and destroy him from among my people Israel. They will bear their punishment; the punishment of the one who sought an oracle will be the same as the punishment of the prophet who gave it so that the house of Israel will no longer go astray from me, nor continue to defile themselves by all their sins. They will be my people and I will be their God, declares the sovereign Lord. (NET)

34 34 E. Psalm 18:26-27, You prove to be reliable to one who is blameless, but you prove to be deceptive to one who is perverse. For you deliver oppressed people, but you bring down those who have a proud look. (NET) F. Isaiah 29:10, For the Lord has poured out on you a strong urge to sleep deeply. He has shut your eyes (the prophets), and covered your heads (the seers). (NET) G. Divine deceit may be synonymous with divine hardening. II. The Lord has decreed disaster for you. 2 Chronicles 18:23, Zedekiah son of Kenaanah approached, hit Micaiah on the jaw, and said, Which way did the Lord s spirit go when he went from me to speak to you? (NET) I. Then Zedekiah son of Kenaanah went up and slapped Micaiah in the face. A. Zedekiah, Ahab s lead prophet, reacted aggressively to Micaiah s statement, Hicks wrote. 1. He slapped Micaiah in the face. a. Job 16:10, People have opened their mouths against me, they have struck my cheek in scorn; they unite together against me. (NET)

35 35 b. Isaiah 50:6, I offered my back to those who attacked, my jaws to those who tore out my beard; I did not hide my face from insults and spitting. (NET) c. Lamentations 3:30, Let him offer his cheek to the one who hits him; let him have his fill of insults. (NET) II. Which way did the spirit from the Lord go when he went from me to you? he asked. A. This question of Zedekiah and Micaiah s answer to him are obscure. (The Pulpit commentary.) B. Zedekiah appears to be taunting Micaiah by saying in effect that God s spirit had been with him, but was no where near Micaiah and in no way associated with him. 2 Chronicles 18:24, Micaiah replied, Look, you will see in the day when you go into an inner room to hide. (NET) I. Micaiah replied, You will find out on the day you go to hide in an inner room. A. Ahab s spiritual advisors may well have been in danger from the king of Ramoth Gilead upon Ahab s defeat and death. B.... and don t forget wicked Jezebel who would not be too happy that the false prophets advice had led to Ahab s death.

36 Chronicles 18:25, Then the king of Israel said, Take Micaiah and return him to Amon the city official and Joash the king s son. (NET) I. The king of Israel then ordered, Take Micaiah and send him back to Amon the ruler (governor) of the city and to Joash the king s son,... A. 2 Chronicles 16:10, Let him offer his cheek to the one who hits him; let him have his fill of insults. (NET) B. This Amon and Joash are mentioned only here and in the parallel reference. (The Pulpit Commentary.) 2 Chronicles 18:26, Say, This is what the king says: Put this man in prison. Give him only a little bread and water until I return safely. (NET) I. and say, This is what the king says: Put this fellow in prison and give him nothing but bread and water until I return safely. A. In spite of oppression and imprisonment, Micaiah remained unswervingly loyal to God. 2 Chronicles 18:27, Micaiah said, If you really do return safely, then the Lord has not spoken through me! Then he added, Take note, all you people. (NET) I. Micaiah declared, If you ever return safely, the Lord has not spoken through me! II. Then he added, Mark my words, all you people!

37 37 Ahab Killed at Ramoth Gilead 2 Chronicles 18:28, The king of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah attacked Ramoth Gilead. (NET) I. So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went up to Ramoth Gilead. A. This was a major, major mistake, a horribly bad decision on the part of Jehoshaphat! B. Having heard and seen all the false prophets said and did and having heard the truth from God s prophet Micaiah, why in the world would Jehoshaphat now go with Ahab into battle? 2 Chronicles 18:29, The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself and then enter the battle, but you wear your royal attire. So the king of Israel disguised himself and they entered the battle. (NET) I. The King of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, I will enter the battle in disguise, but you wear your royal robes. A. Was Ahab a genuine, certified coward or prudent? B. Why would Jehoshaphat agree to this plan which might well make him the prime target. C. Hicks wrote, The theological function of Ahab s disguise, however, is to test the prophetic warning and avoid potential

38 38 danger.... Ahab disguises himself in order to avoid God s judgment. D. Was Ahab trying to get Jehoshaphat killed by this ploy? II. So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle. A. Ahab realized he was the prime target. 2 Chronicles 18:30, Now the king of Syria had ordered his chariot commanders, Do not fight common soldiers or high ranking officers; fight only the king of Israel! (NET) I. Now the king of Aram had ordered his chariot commanders, Do not fight with anyone, small or great, except the king of Israel. A. The prime adversary of the king of Aram was Ahab and it was Ahab who had instigated this present conflict. 1. In ancient Near Eastern warfare the object was to kill the opposing king. 2 Chronicles 18:31, When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they said, He must be the king of Israel! So they turned and attacked him, but Jehoshaphat cried out. The Lord helped him; God lured them away from him. (NET) I. When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they thought, This is the king of Israel.

39 39 II. So they turned to attack him, but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the Lord helped him. A. Jehoshaphat had gotten himself into this difficult situation, but it was the Lord who got him out of it Chronicles 5:20, They received divine help in fighting them, and the Hagrites and all their allies were handed over to them. They cried out to God during the battle; he responded to their prayers because they trusted in him. (NET) 2. 2 Chronicles 20:9, If disaster comes on us in the form of military attack, judgment, plague, or famine, we will stand in front of this temple before you, for you are present in this temple. We will cry out to you for help in our distress, so that you will hear and deliver us. (NET) 3. 2 Chronicles 32:20, King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz prayed about this and cried out to heaven. (NET) 4. 1 Chronicles 12:18, But a spirit empowered Amasai, the leader of the thirty warriors, and he said: We are yours, O David! We support you, O son of Jesse! May you greatly prosper! May those who help you prosper! Indeed your God helps you! So David accepted them and made them leaders of raiding bands. (NET) 5. 2 Chronicles 14:11, Asa prayed to the Lord his God: O Lord, there is no one but you who can

40 40 help the weak when they are vastly outnumbered. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on you and have marched on your behalf against this huge army. O Lord our God, don t let men prevail against you! (NET) 6. 2 Chronicles 20:23, The Ammonites and Moabites attacked the men from Mount Seir and annihilated them. When they had finished off the men of Seir, they attacked and destroyed one another. (NET) 7. 2 Chronicles 25:8, Even if you go and fight bravely in battle, God will defeat you before the enemy. God is capable of helping or defeating. (NET) 8. 2 Chronicles 26:7, God helped him in his campaigns against the Philistines, the Arabs living in Gur Baal, and the Meunites. (NET) 9. 2 Chronicles 32:8, He has with him mere human strength, but the Lord our God is with us to help us and fight our battles! The army was encouraged by the words of King Hezekiah of Judah. (NET) B. Jehoshaphat prayed and God answered. (Hicks) III. God drew them away from him,... A. 1 Chronicles 28:9, And you, Solomon my son, obey the God of your father and serve him with a

41 41 submissive attitude and a willing spirit, for the Lord examines all minds and understands every motive of one s thoughts. If you seek him, he will let you find him, but if you abandon him, he will reject you permanently. (NET) B. 2 Chronicles 7:14, if my people, who belong to me, humble themselves, pray, seek to please me, and repudiate their sinful practices, then I will respond from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. (NET) C. 2 Chronicles 15:2, He met Asa and told him, Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin! The Lord is with you when you are loyal to him. If you seek him, he will respond to you, but if you reject him, he will reject you. (NET) 2 Chronicles 18:32, When the chariot commanders realized he was not the king of Israel, they turned away from him. (NET) I. for when the chariot commanders saw that he was not the king of Israel, they stopped pursuing him. 2 Chronicles 18:33, Now an archer shot an arrow at random and it struck the king of Israel between the plates of his armor. The king ordered his charioteer, Turn around and take me from the battle line, for I am wounded. (NET) I. But someone drew his bow at random and hit the king of Israel between the sections of his armor.