why did jehoshaphat ally himself with ahab

There was nothing righteous about Ahab. c. How many times shall I make you swear that you tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD? 2 Chronicles 18 NLT - Jehoshaphat and Ahab - Bible Gateway Jehoshaphat still wanted to hear from a prophet of Yahweh, the LORD (Is there not still a prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of Him?). All rights reserved. . He was devoted to God in his heart and his actions. He introduced the worship of completely new, pagan gods. Matthew 11:28-30, The church struggles with prejudice. 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. Nevertheless, King Jehoshaphat has one moral weakness, similar to his father who came before him. Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. Yet so it was. (Morgan), ii. Since Ahab wanted to be deceived, God would give him what he wanted, using a willing fallen angel who worked through willing unfaithful prophets. Will the actions of orthodox Anglicans be as strong as their words post-Kigali? C. 24 You will find out when you go into some back room to hide, Micaiah replied. So Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Will you go with me against Ramoth Gilead? And he answered him, I am as you are, and my people as your people; we will be with you in the war.. 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. An enormous army of Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites gathered at En Gedi, near the Dead Sea. He required these judges to be just, impartial, and take no bribes, for they "do not judge according to man but the Lord" (see 2 Chronicles 19:4-10). It wasnt surprising that Ahab picked prophets who would tell them what they wanted to hear. King Jehoshaphat led a mostly prosperous life. i. Be courageous and carry out these instructions, and may the Lord be on the side of the right!, Good News Translation (Todays English Version, Second Edition). 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. Jehoshaphat: The Influenced King (1 Kings 22:41-50) - FBC Spur (see 2 Chronicles 17). Well quote each of the verses below. Jehoshaphat's son Jehoram married Athaliah, daughter of king Ahab of Israel. After Jehus rebuke, Jehoshaphat got back on track. You will succeed., 22 And Micaiah concluded: This is what has happened. However, because this was an aberration from Jehoshaphat's usual stance of faith and obedience, the LORD did not punish Jehoshaphat. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. His love for God greatly benefited the kingdom of Judah. Asa also did what was right in God's eyes and led Judah in a series of religious reforms. ii. As James says, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God James 4:4. It appears to be a judgment ground for any nation who came up against Gods people, in a plot of land situated between Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives or Kidron Valley. 1. 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). It just happened, says the man of the world. 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 may have needed a lesson on how to make smart political alliances. c. Who will persuade Ahab king of Israel to go up, that he may fall at Ramoth Gilead? "Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of those before him. He allied with Ahab's son, Ahaziah, in a mercantile venture until God destroyed their fleet (20:35-37; 1 Kings 22:48, 49 ). Jehoshaphat made some poor choices but he did have a heart for the Lord and "did what was right in the eyes of the Lord" (20:31.) Sermon Notes on Jehoshaphat's battle in 2 Chronicles 20:1-30 | The Art This was a city which Ben-hadad And persuaded him to go up with him to Ramoth Gilead: Previously, the king of Syria promised to return certain cities to Israel (1 Kings 20:34) in exchange for leniency after defeat in battle. It is possible that this was just a parable, but it is more likely that Micaiah had an accurate prophetic glimpse into the heavenly drama behind these events. You have removed all the symbols of the goddess Asherah which people worshiped, and you have tried to follow God's will., 4 Even though King Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, he traveled regularly among the people, from Beersheba in the south to the edge of the hill country of Ephraim in the north, in order to call the people back to the Lord, the God of their ancestors. 33 By chance, however, a Syrian soldier shot an arrow which struck King Ahab between the joints of his armor. Now when Jehoshaphat learned a great army has come against him ( 2 Chronicles 20:1-2 ), he immediately realized three things. He not only considered it . Jehoshaphat failed to foresee the long-term consequences of his bad decisions. He did have the best of intentions, only skewing wayward when it came to friendships. He went out with Ahab in battle, and was rebuked by Jehu the son of Hanani. Jehoshaphat - New World Encyclopedia "Some time later King Jehoshaphat of Judah made an alliance with King How to Have Joy in Your Golden Years Despite These 10 Life 4 Things You May Not Know About Abraham in the Bible, 20 Facts You May Not Know About Moses from the Bible, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Joining Forces with Ahab - CRIES from among US! Enduring Word Bible Commentary 2 Chronicles Chapter 18 We are first introduced to him in 1 Kings 15:24 but are told nothing more than that he succeeded Asa. Although Jehoshaphat didnt die from the friendship, he made a massive mistake by trusting the wrong person. 4-5 - Jehoshaphat agrees to go, BUT he has a request first. When we hear the name of Jehoshaphat some of us may be thinking of the Valley of Jehoshaphat mentioned in Joel 3:2 and Joel 3:12. Dramas of this kind were a typical method of prophetic revelation (cf. "Evil communications corrupt good manners."*. Once back, the Lord rebukes him through his prophet Jehu, whose father, by the way, had rebuked Jehoshaphats father King Asa. Jehoshaphat and Peer Pressure - Part 2 - Shepherd Press b. If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here: We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. They prophesied favorably, saying: "Go up, and Jehovah will give it into the king's hand." Acts 6:1-6, Four things to remember in times of trial. Did I not tell you he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil? These are all tokens of Gods blessing in this context. (35) And after this.--The chronicler has omitted the notice that "Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel" (1Kings 22:44), and now he omits two other short verses of the parallel account, viz., 1Kings 22:46-47: "And the remnant of the sodomites, which had remained in the days of his father Asa, he consumed out of the land.There was then no king in Edom: a deputy was king." Believers and unbelievers have different values and commitments. Although Asa didnt worship the idols placed throughout Judah, he didnt do a whole lot to tear them down. Because this king had God's interests at heart, for the most part, his reign was prosperous. Jehoshaphat strengthened Judah militarily by building an army and many forts. King Jehoshaphat comes to Samaria to visit with Ahab. But what about King Jehoshaphat? In general, Christians can't work effectively in close relationships with unbelieversin godly peace and harmonyany more than mismatched animals can make a useful plowing team for a farmer. The ruse fails, in the end. Jehoshaphat was 35 years old when he began his reign and was king for 25 years. Ahaziah's parents brought Baal worship into the land and turned God's . 1 Kings 16:29-33 tells us just how bad Ahab was. 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. God brought Judgement on Ahab; he would not listen to Elijah and was bent on his evil ways. This was a dramatic scene. This suggests that Jehoshaphat was a strong and effective leader, who worked hard to consolidate his power and improve Judah's position. The phrase bread of affliction and water of affliction may be translated bread and water of scant measure. (Dilday), c. If you ever return in peace, the LORD has not spoken by me: The prophet Micaiah made one final and ultimate appeal. . Without God's help, we can do nothing worthwhile. Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in. Source: 1 Kings 22:1-40; 2 Chronicles 18:1 - 19:3 Jehoshaphat's Later Reforms . It may be that Jehoshaphat had a fatalistic attitude towards the will of God, figuring that if it all was Gods will then there was nothing he or anyone else could do about it. 3 But even so, there is some good in you. This is a stark change in policy from 17:1, where Jehoshaphat had strengthened himself against Israel. Handling problems in Christian relationships, Letters to the Seven Churches in Revelation, Paul to the Thessalonians. Asa also did what was right in God's eyes and led Judah in a series of religious reforms. 18:1 Jehoshaphat was very wealthy and greatly respected. So he said to the driver of his chariot, Turn around and take me out of the battle, for I am wounded. The battle increased that day, and the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot facing the Syrians until evening; and about the time of sunset he died. When battle is joined, Ahab's plan seems to work. They told Ahab to go into battle because God would give him victory. 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. 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). Like Jehu told Jehoshaphat about his seeking an alliance with Ahab, he should not love those who hate the Lord. He was not satisfied with what God had given him, but was longing for something else among the nations around him. d. The king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot, facing the Syrians until evening: Ahab faced the end of his life bravely, dying proppedup in his chariot to inspire his troops. Learn Religions. The world will not be a true partner to you. These are but some of Jehoshaphat's achievements. But the world will betray you (just as Ahab set up Jehoshaphat by disguising himself and making Jehoshaphat the target of the enemy, not caring if he died). Jehoshaphat solidified peace between Israel and Judah. His real conflict was with God, but he focused his hatred against the prophet Micaiah. They had a great party with lots of food. Scripture tells us to exercise discernment, especially with those in whom we place our trust. b. Unsurprisingly, Ahab throws Micaiah in prison on bread and water rations. . Will you go with me against Ramoth Gilead? After all, the dangerous one he made almost got him killed. Ahab determined that he should take the city of Ramoth-Gilead back from the Syrians. God looked with favor on Jehoshaphat, strengthening his kingdom and making him wealthy. Only by divine intervention was one saved 2 Chronicles 22:10-12. A Chronological Daily Bible Study regarding the Old Testament 7-Day Sections with a Summary-Commentary, Discussion Questions, and a Practical Almost Claim. . We should stay true to God. (He) sought the God of his father and walked in his commandments. Who Is Jehoshaphat in the Bible? But Jehoshaphat also made some bad decisions. To honor his ally's request, Ahab had Micaiah brought to the court. To be sure, this is a case of misguided judgment. i. Now a certain man drew a bow at random, and struck the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. He tried to persuade Jehoshaphat to join him in attacking the city of Ramoth in Gilead. But just in case, he disguises himself and also encourages Jehoshaphat to wear his royal attire, thus making him the target of the enemy. King Ahab recognized the mocking tone of Micaiahs prophecy and knew it contradicted the message of the 400 prophets. Learn Religions, May. Apparently Micaiah seems to assume among his hearers a working knowledge of the Book of Job. (Payne), ii. Jehoshaphat was a powerful, prosperous king ( 2 Chr. That is, he gave his son in marriage to Ahabs daughter. Jehoshaphat believed prayer is a Rapid Response. PDF Jehoshaphat: The Tragedy of Compromise - SINGLE FOCUS This city "was strategic in controlling the eastern caravan route" (Layman's Bible Book Commentary, Volume 6). But Ahab devises what he thinks is a clever plan to avoid the fate prophesied by Micaiah. Ahab induced or enticed him to form a league with him to retake a disputed city in northern Israel Ramoth-gilead. This is the same word that I Chronicles 21:1 says about Satan enticing David to sin by means of the census. This brings us to our focus today: King Ahab, the king of the northern kingdom of Israel was a very wicked man, who opposed Yahweh. Click on the different category headings to find out more. . Michelangelo's 'Asa-Jehoshaphat-Joram.' Considering Jehoshaphat lived for a long time, according to the standards of his day, this meant that God really wanted him to rule for a long period of time. Jehoshaphat Allies With Ahaziah (2 Chronicles 20:34-37; 1 Kings 22:45 Ungodly partners can lead to spiritual compromise (see 1 Corinthians 15:33). a. And so we can learn from him. 17:10-13 ). 16, 2022, learnreligions.com/jehoshaphat-king-of-judah-4114131. They butchered great numbers of sheep, goats, and cattle for the feast. His mother was Azubah, the daughter of Shilhi. a. Click to enable/disable _ga - Google Analytics Cookie. a. Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in abundance: Because of his personal godliness (2 Chronicles 17:1-4) and public godliness (2 Chronicles 17:7-10), God blessed Jehoshaphat and exalted him among neighboring nations. Save: $14.00 (70%) Buy Now. It will party with you (like Ahab with Jehoshaphat), It will give you honor and acceptance (like Ahab gave to Jehoshaphat), It will entice you to make compromises (like Ahab did with Jehoshaphat). Jehoshaphat's Defining Flaw. Jehoshaphat: His serious mistakes Obed-Edom and Jehiah were also to be doorkeepers for the ark.. The Lord will give you victory., 12 Meanwhile, the official who had gone to get Micaiah said to him, All the other prophets have prophesied success for the king, and you had better do the same., 13 But Micaiah answered, By the living Lord I will say what my God tells me to!, 14 When he appeared before King Ahab, the king asked him, Micaiah, should King Jehoshaphat and I go and attack Ramoth, or not?, Attack! Micaiah answered. Jehoshaphat was the fourth king of the southern kingdom of Judah, the son of Asa, of the line of David. For the battle is not yours, but Gods." (2022, May 16). 32 The chariot commanders saw that he was not the king of Israel, so they stopped pursuing him. 1. THEN he made another disastrous treaty with wicked King Ahaziah which resulted in all their ships wrecked. Thus says the LORD: These unfaithful prophets (such as Zedekiah) prophesied in the name of the LORD, but they did not prophesy truthfully. The Hebrew that underlies the phrase rendered a spirit (came forward) reads literally, the (well-known) spirit, i.e., Satan the tempter (as in Job 1:6-12). Jehoshaphat came onto the scene after this. These were prophets happy to please their kings, and to tell them what they wanted to hear. A Lesson in Stupidity: Jehoshaphat and Peer Pressure - Part 1 1992 American Bible Society. The Levites have the responsibility of seeing that the decisions of the courts are carried out. Ahab had wanted to restore back what materially belonged to them but spiritually he . The LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these prophets of yours, and the LORD has declared disaster against you.. The man on the left is generally considered to be Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat stumbles as well. 29 Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, As we go into battle, I will disguise myself, but you wear your royal garments. So the king of Israel went into battle in disguise. Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. Jehoshaphat in the Bible was the fourth king of Judah. Instead, Jehoshaphat removes places of worship to foreign gods such as Asherah poles, and he fortifies Israels defenses against their enemies. But, not only that, so many times our sin ends up wounding those we love more than us. 2 A number of years later Jehoshaphat went to the city of Samaria to visit Ahab. Who was King Jehoshaphat in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org . And the LORD said, Who will persuade Ahab king of Israel to go up, that he may fall at Ramoth Gilead? So one spoke in this manner, and another spoke in that manner. Jehoshaphat was an ancient king, but he is not so different than us, for we do similar things in our lives. Or what fellowship has light with darkness? By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. 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. Why did Ahab enter into a military alliance with Jehoshaphat? Of course, there may be some business arrangements where such matters would never be at issue. What he didnt consider was that though Micaiah prophesied evil towards Ahab, he prophesied truth. Wicked men have the advantage of the way, godly men of the end. (Trapp). As a consequence, God sent the prophet Elijah to the king and informed him that he would not be healed (2 Kings 1:1-6, 15-17). For all the good that Jehoshaphat did, one sore thumb that stands out is his alliances with the house of Ahab in Israel. But if you do your duty, you will not be guilty. Jehoram marries Athaliah the daughter of King Ahab and Jezebel Many commentators believe these prophets were pagan prophets, perhaps representatives of Asherah or other pagan gods or goddesses. His warnings are still the same today: How can two walk together unless they are agreed? 1 Kings 16:15-20 describes how Ahab's father, Omri, was the Israelite army's commander, who rebelled against the . Using traveling teachers, he educated the people on God's laws. 43 Jehoshaphat was a This might have daunted the good prophet, but that he had lately seen the Lord sitting upon His throne with all the host of heaven standing by Him, and hence he so boldly looked in the face these two kings in their majesty; for he beheld them as so many mice. (Trapp). (see 2 Chronicles 19). PDF Why Did Ahab Go To Battle? 1 Kings 22 - Rose Avenue He was 35 years old when he sat as king and reigned for 25 years until his death at age 60. A. Christian family to appeal after court dismisses school Pride parade complaint, British public don't want a secular coronation, poll finds, Relic of crucifixion cross to be used in King Charles' coronation, Challenged by the faith of those who suffer. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Who Were the 12 Disciples of Jesus? You shouldn't say that! Jehoshaphat replied. 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. According to tradition, Jehoshaphat was buried in a magnificent manner to mimic the actions of King David. Jehu says, Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? 19:2. b. 10 Things You Need to Know about the Number 666, 10 Books of the Bible You Should Read Again and Again, 10 Most Encouraging Bible Verses That Will Uplift Your Heart and Soul, 5 Things That Hurt Relationships with Grandkids, 30 Morning Prayers to Start Each Day with God, How to Have Joy in Your Golden Years Despite These 10 Life Losses, 4 Things You Should Know about Big George Foreman, 8 Ways You Are Belittling Your Husband and What God Says about It, Maybe Money Can Buy Happiness, but Not Joy. 2 A number of years later Jehoshaphat went to the city of Samaria to visit Ahab. Click to enable/disable Google Analytics tracking. 30 The king of Syria had ordered his chariot commanders to attack no one else except the king of Israel. b. 1 Chronicles 15:24 Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah and Eliezer the priests were to blow trumpets before the ark of God. King Jehoshaphat instituted another round of reforms . He became one of the country's most successful rulers for one simple reason: He followed the commands of God. 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). Wait a minute! In fact, Jehoshaphat was so blessed that aside from different nations or groups bringing tribute to him, he built citadels and storehouses in Judah, signifying much abundance. The kings in the lands surrounding Judah did not dare to go to war against Jehoshaphat because they feared God. 41 Jehoshaphat son of Asa began to rule over Judah in the fourth year of King Ahab's reign in Israel. Who Is Jehoshaphat in the Bible? - Learn Religions God set Judah's enemies upon each other, and by the time the Hebrews arrived, they saw only dead bodies on the ground. 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). And the LORD said, These have no master. Answer (1 of 3): The tone of the book, especially in that chapter, shows Jehoshapat as a humble man who obeys God, and Ahab as a reckless man who does only as he thinks right, without thinking of anything but what he means to do. He led the people to be faithful as well (like his father Asa). Who Was Isaiah & Why Was He Important? The rest of chapter 19 he went back to reforming Judah. Since he knew his words were true, it was fitting for him to cry out as they dragged him back to prison, Take heed, all you people!. We need to learn this. Despite his earlier experience with Ahab, Jehoshaphat entered into another alliance with Israel, through Ahab's son, evil King Ahaziah. Jesus stays behind in the temple. Mindful of the fact that Judah was bordered by Moab, Ammon, and Israelall hostilehe knew he needed a strong and well-positioned military. b. Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him: Finding himself as the only identifiable king in the battle, Jehoshaphat found himself quickly in danger. Putting anything ahead of God is idolatry. He left Jerusalem, his proper responsibilities as Gods regent and went to be with Ahab. Yet on the other hand very few men did more than Jehoshaphat to bring the nation to the brink of ruin. 2 Now Ahaziah fell through the lattice in his upper chamber in Samaria, and lay sick; so he sent messengers, telling them, " Go, inquire of c Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, d whether I shall recover from this sickness. The great battle at Ramoth Gilead was a catastrophe. And now what joy could Ahabs black soul, ready to depart, have of his ivory house? "Who Is Jehoshaphat in the Bible?" 1 King Jehoshaphat of Judah returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem. These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. Jehoshaphat's Compromise 2-Chr. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/jehoshaphat-king-of-judah-4114131. Ahab decides to disguise himself so that he will not be recognized, but tells Jehoshaphat to dress as a king. . He repented when he did wrong. Ahab had a very nonchalant attitude towards his sin and the sins of others. Changes will take effect once you reload the page. Unlike today, many mothers in Ancient Israel decided to name their children Jehoshaphat. Men may secrete themselves so that other men may never find them; but when the hour of their judgment has come, God takes hold on some ordinary event and makes it the highway on which He comes to carry out His purpose. He made an alliance by marriage with Ahab, 18:2 and after several years went down to visit Ahab in Samaria. It is less easy to understand why King Jehoshaphat of Judah went to this battle with Ahab. King Ahab of Israel asked King Jehoshaphat of Judah to help him in this dispute against Syria. Also Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, Please inquire for the word of the LORD today. Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said to them, Shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain? So they said, Go up, for God will deliver it into the kings hand. But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not still a prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of Him? So the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, There is still one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD; but I hate him, because he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil. 11 Amariah the High Priest will have final authority in all religious cases, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, governor of Judah, will have final authority in all civil cases. Following that disaster, Jehoshaphat appointed judges throughout Judah to deal fairly with the people's disputes. Jehoshaphat: A Godly Compromiser - Proclaim & Defend He campaigned against idolatry and the renewed worship of the One True God. This must have been a vivid and entertaining presentation. Zavada, Jack. To solidify devotion to God, Jehoshaphat sent prophets, priests, and Levites throughout the country to teach people God's laws. God gave the evil spirit permission to entice Ahab, and the evil spirit . 39. 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, Obadiah, Psalms (Jehosophat, Ahab

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why did jehoshaphat ally himself with ahab