1 Kings 22

READ: 1 Kings 22

REFLECT:

Every person knows that God exists, but most people do nothing about it. Yet, anyone who ignores the truth will be judged for their disobedience.

In our devotion, from 1 Kings 22, we see how King Ahab ignored God’s clear word, and as a result, paid the ultimate consequence. King Ahab realised that King Ben-hadad had not returned the captured cities to Israel, as he had promised.

So, Ahab king of the North, asked Jehoshaphat, king of the South, to join with him to force Ben-hadad to return the cities (v. 2).

Jehosaphat of Judah agreed, but said in verse 5, “first let’s find out what the LORD says.” So the king of Israel in the North asked 400 prophets what they think, and they gave the green light (v. 6).

But the king of Judah in the South complained that none of those prophets were of the Lord (v. 7).

But Ahab said, “There is one more man who could consult the LORD for us, but I hate him. He never prophesies anything but trouble for me! His name is Micaiah son of Imlah.” (v.8)

He didn’t want the truth, so he didn’t ask for it.

When the king eventually agreed to hear from the Lord, the prophet told him that, “As surely as the LORD lives, I will say only what the LORD tells me to say.” He was a genuine prophet because he would say only what the Lord told him.

RELATE: 

That’s what every Christian should be like, today.

We have God’s word, loud and clear in the Bible, and we have one job: to tell the truth.

So, Micaiah told the kings that, “In a vision I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, like sheep without a shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘Their master has been killed. Send them home in peace.’” (v.17). Israel didn’t have a shepherd to shepherd them because that king had been killed.

But Ahab rejected that word from the Lord, saying, “Didn’t I tell you… he never prophesies anything but trouble for me.” (v.18)

However, Micaiah the prophet told them that he had heard about the plan for a spirit to convince false prophets to tell the kings that the battle will end in victory… when it wouldn’t.

And with that, Micaiah told them that, “the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouths of all your prophets. For the LORD has pronounced your doom.” (v.23)

The Lord God had always planned to kill King Ahab in judgement for his evil ways, and the way he’s going to do it is by using false prophets to convince him to go to the battle, where he will die. But the Lord, in His amazing mercy and kindness, let Ahab, the victim, know of the plan in advance, so that he might hear the warning of God and change his ways.

But even the wonderful grace of God was rejected by Ahab, and so he threw Micaiah into prison (vv.24 to 27).

Then, having rejected the warning of the prophet, they headed into battle with their armies, with King Ahab choosing to be disguised. Yet, we read in verse 34 that, “An Aramean soldier, however, randomly shot an arrow at the Israelite troops and hit the king of Israel between the joints of his armour.”

What seems like a coincidence is all in the providence of God.

All Ahab’s sneaky plans failed in the face of the powerful word of God, verse 37.

He was a bad shepherd of the sheep, and so the sheep scattered, just as the word of the Lord said through the prophet.

Then finally, in the closing verses, we briefly read about King Jehoshaphat, who was a good king, and then his son who followed him on the throne, Jehoram, who was evil.

After 22 chapters we end with a good king, and a bad king, but ultimately, with God’s sheep scattered without a shepherd.

They need a good shepherd, a king who will lead them in justice and truth. But ultimately, they needed the Good Shepherd, who knows his own sheep, and who sacrifices His life for the sheep, (John 10).

This is the true king, King Jesus. Will you follow him?

REST:

May the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you what is pleasing in his sight; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be amongst you and remain with you always. Amen. 

Tan Tee Khoon