Jehoshaphat Makes A Treaty With Ahab

Jehoshaphat had set out to serve God completely, and as a result the nation was very blessed,  with the nations around all wanting to make peace with him.  Finally, after fourteen years, even Israel came and made a treaty with him, according to I Kings 22:44.  “And Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel.”  Almost three years later Jehoshaphat made a diplomatic trip to Israel to meet with Ahab, according to I Kings 22:2.  “And it came to pass in the third year, that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel.” 

Hoping to enlist Jehoshaphat’s aid, Ahab made a great feast, according to II Chronicles 18:2.   “… And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that he had with him…”   Years before, the Syrians had seized Ramoth Gilead.  With Judah’s help, Ahab was sure they would be able to retake the city, and brought it up in I Kings 22:3-5.  “And the king of Israel said unto his servants, Know ye that Ramoth in Gilead is ours, and we be still, and take it not out of the hand of the king of Syria?  And he said unto Jehoshaphat, Wilt thou go with me to battle to Ramothgilead?

And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, I am as thou art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses.  And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Inquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.”  Jehoshaphat didn’t hesitate to commit his army, asking only that they consult God gefore getting into a war.  Ahab and Jezebel had had most of the prophets of God murdered, so he brought in a group of his own prophets, who would say exactly what he told them, in I Kings 22:6.  “Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king.”

Aware of the situation, Jehoshaphat asked that they contact one of God’s prophets instead.  Ahab grudgingly agreed to consult one of the few survivning prophets, in II Chronicles 18:6-8.  “But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might inquire of him?

And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, by whom we may inquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil: the same is Micaiah the son of Imla.

And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.

And the king of Israel called for one of his officers, and said, Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imla.”

While they waited for Micaiah, Ahab’s prophets tried to convince Jehoshaphat that they should go to war, in II Chronicles 18:9-11.  “And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah sat either of them on his throne, clothed in their robes, and they sat in a void place at the entering in of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them.  And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made him horns of iron, and said, Thus saith the LORD, With these thou shalt push Syria until they be consumed.  And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king.”

At the same tome, Ahab’s messenger tried unsuccessfully to influence what Micaiah would say, in I Kingts 22:13-14.  “And the messenger that was gone to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good unto the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak that which is good.

And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak.”

When Micaiah arrived he said exactly what the messenger had told him.  Ahab knew that could not be right and demanded he tell them what God really said, in II Chronicles 18:18:14-15.  “And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand.

And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the LORD?”

Though he had no intention of changing his plans, Ahab didn’t like being lied to and demanded the truth although he didn’t like it when he heard it, in I Kings 22:17-18.  “And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace.

And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would prophesy no good concerning me, but evil?”

With permission to say what God had told him, Micaiah went on to tell them the truth, in I Kings 22:19-23.  “And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left.  And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner.

And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him.

And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.

And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.  Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.”

Micaiah accused the prophets of lying for the purpose of getting Ahab killed.  This made the prophets mad, according to II Chronicles 18:23-24.  “Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Micaiah upon the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee?

And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see on that day when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself.”

Ahab ordered Micaiah arrested and restricted to bread and water until he returned safely.  Micaiah warned that if the prophecy was from god, ahab wouldn’t return safely, in I Kings 22:26-28.  “And the king of Israel said, Take Micaiah, and carry him back unto Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son; And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace.

And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, the LORD hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, O people, every one of you.” God wouldn’t give into blackmail.