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2 Chronicles 18 Josiah's Reforms

1 Micaiah Prophesies Against Ahab
Now Jehoshaphat had great wealth and honor, and he allied himself with Ahab by marriage.

2 Some years later he went down to visit Ahab in Samaria. Ahab slaughtered many sheep and cattle for him and the people with him and urged him to attack Ramoth Gilead.

3 Ahab king of Israel asked Jehoshaphat king of Judah, “Will you go with me against Ramoth Gilead?”
Jehoshaphat replied, “I am as you are, and my people as your people; we will join you in the war.”

4 But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, “First seek the counsel of the Lord.”

5 So the king of Israel brought together the prophets—four hundred men—and asked them, “Shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?”
“Go,” they answered, “for God will give it into the king’s hand.”

6 But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there not a prophet of the Lord here whom we can inquire of?”

7 The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, “There is still one man through whom we can inquire of the Lord, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.”
“The king should not say that,” Jehoshaphat replied.

8 So the king of Israel called one of his officials and said, “Bring Micaiah son of Imlah at once.”

9 Dressed in their royal robes, the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah were sitting on their thrones at the threshing floor by the entrance to the gate of Samaria, with all the prophets prophesying before them.

10 Now Zedekiah son of Kenaanah had made iron horns, and he declared, “This is what the Lord says: ‘With these you will gore the Arameans until they are destroyed.’”

11 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.”

12 The messenger who had gone to summon Micaiah said to him, “Look, as one man the other prophets are predicting success for the king. Let your word agree with theirs, and speak favorably.”

13 But Micaiah said, “As surely as the Lord lives, I can tell him only what my God says.”

14 When he arrived, the king asked him, “Micaiah, shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?”
“Attack and be victorious,” he answered, “for they will be given into your hand.”

15 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?”

16 Then Micaiah answered, “I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd, and the Lord said, ‘These people have no master. Let each one go home in peace.’”

17 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Didn’t I tell you that he never prophesies anything good about me, but only bad?”

18 Micaiah continued, “Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne with all the host of heaven standing on his right and on his left.

19 And the Lord said, ‘Who will entice Ahab king of Israel into attacking Ramoth Gilead and going to his death there?’
“One suggested this, and another that.

20 Finally, a spirit came forward, stood before the Lord and said, ‘I will entice him.’
“‘By what means?’ the Lord asked.

21 “‘I will go and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets,’ he said.
“‘You will succeed in enticing him,’ said the Lord. ‘Go and do it.’

22 “So now the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouths of these prophets of yours. The Lord has decreed disaster for you.”

23 Then Zedekiah son of Kenaanah went up and slapped Micaiah in the face. “Which way did the spirit from the Lord go when he went from me to speak to you?” he asked.

24 Micaiah replied, “You will find out on the day you go to hide in an inner room.”

25 The king of Israel then ordered, “Take Micaiah and send him back to Amon the ruler of the city and to Joash the king’s son,

26 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.’”

27 Micaiah declared, “If you ever return safely, the Lord has not spoken through me.” Then he added, “Mark my words, all you people!”

28 Ahab Killed at Ramoth Gilead
So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went up to Ramoth Gilead.

29 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will enter the battle in disguise, but you wear your royal robes.” So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle.

30 Now the king of Aram had ordered his chariot commanders, “Do not fight with anyone, small or great, except the king of Israel.”

31 When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they thought, “This is the king of Israel.” So they turned to attack him, but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the Lord helped him. God drew them away from him,

32 for when the chariot commanders saw that he was not the king of Israel, they stopped pursuing him.

33 But someone drew his bow at random and hit the king of Israel between the sections of his armor. The king told the chariot driver, “Wheel around and get me out of the fighting. I’ve been wounded.”

34 All day long the battle raged, and the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot facing the Arameans until evening. Then at sunset he died.

Previous Chapter 2 Chronicles 17 Next Chapter 2 Chronicles 19

Analysis of 2 Chronicles Chapter 18

2 Chronicles Chapter 18 recounts a significant episode in the historical and theological narrative of Israel and Judah. This chapter centers around the alliance between King Jehoshaphat of Judah and King Ahab of Israel, their joint military venture, and the role of prophetic insight. It serves to highlight themes of divine sovereignty, prophetic authority, and the perils of poor alliances. Let us delve deeper into the verses and extract pertinent lessons and interpretations.

Verses 1-3: The Alliance and Proposal

The chapter begins with Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, forming an alliance through marriage with Ahab, King of Israel. The text states:

“Now Jehoshaphat had great wealth and honor, and he allied himself with Ahab by marriage. Some years later he went down to see Ahab in Samaria. Ahab slaughtered many sheep and cattle for him and the people with him and urged him to attack Ramoth Gilead.” (2 Chronicles 18:1-2)

This alliance, initiated by intermarriage, is significant. The union is likely through the marriage of Jehoshaphat’s son Jehoram to Ahab’s daughter Athaliah. From a political standpoint, such alliances were common to strengthen ties between neighboring kingdoms. However, from a theological perspective, this pact with Ahab, who is described in the scriptures as a wicked king influenced by his notorious wife Jezebel, brings about perilous outcomes.

The idea of attacking Ramoth Gilead appears opportunistic. Ramoth Gilead was a strategically important city, and reclaiming it could bring favor and glory. Nevertheless, these verses set the stage for the unfolding divine narrative, demonstrating how earthly wisdom and alliances can conflict with divine will.

Verses 4-8: Seeking Divine Counsel

In the subsequent verses, we see Jehoshaphat’s prudence and piety as he insists on seeking the counsel of the Lord:

“But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, ‘First seek the counsel of the Lord.’ So the king of Israel brought together the prophets—four hundred men—and asked them, ‘Shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?’ ‘Go,’ they answered, ‘for God will give it into the king’s hand.’ But Jehoshaphat asked, ‘Is there no longer a prophet of the Lord here whom we can inquire of?’ The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, ‘There is still one prophet through whom we can inquire of the Lord, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.’ ‘The king should not say such a thing,’ Jehoshaphat replied. So the king of Israel called one of his officials and said, ‘Bring Micaiah son of Imlah at once.'” (2 Chronicles 18:4-8)

Jehoshaphat’s request to seek the Lord highlights his faithfulness. Despite the many prophets who agree with Ahab, Jehoshaphat senses a lack of authenticity in their counsel, underscoring his spiritual discernment. Ahab’s dismissal of Micaiah as a prophet who speaks ill of him reveals Ahab’s reluctance to hear the unvarnished truth from God, showing the corrupt nature of his reign.

Verses 9-11: The Charade of False Prophecy

The scene unfolds further as Ahab gathers the prophets in a dramatic display:

“Dressed in their royal robes, the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah were sitting on their thrones at the threshing floor by the entrance of the gate of Samaria, with all the prophets prophesying before them. Now Zedekiah son of Kenaanah had made iron horns and 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.'” (2 Chronicles 18:9-11)

The group of four hundred prophets, led by Zedekiah, create a dramatic spectacle to convince the kings. The use of iron horns symbolizes strength and victory, a powerful image meant to sway both kings’ decisions. However, their unanimous agreement and the theatricality of their prophecies hint at their collective falsehood, contrasting sharply with the solemn and truthful demeanor of true prophecy.

Verses 12-17: Micaiah’s Solemn Prophecy

Micaiah is introduced in stark contrast to the numerous false prophets:

“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 my God says.’ When he arrived, the king asked him, ‘Micaiah, shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?’ ‘Attack and be victorious,’ he answered, ‘for they will be given into your hand.’ 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?’ Then Micaiah answered, ‘I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd, and the Lord said, “These people have no master. Let each one go home in peace.”‘” (2 Chronicles 18:12-16)

Micaiah, despite initial sarcasm, ultimately reveals a vision of Israel defeated, likened to sheep without a shepherd, indicating the loss of their king. This metaphor poignantly foreshadows Ahab’s fate and illustrates that true prophecy, though sometimes unwelcome, carries the weight of divine truth. Micaiah’s steadfastness and commitment to God’s word over royal favor exemplify the prophetic integrity that contrasts starkly with the falsehoods of the other prophets.

Verses 18-22: A Glimpse into Divine Counsel

This section unveils a rare and profound look into the divine council itself:

“Micaiah continued, ‘Therefore, hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne with all the multitudes of heaven standing on his right and on his left. And the Lord said, “Who will entice Ahab king of Israel into attacking Ramoth Gilead and going to his death there?” One suggested this, and another that. Finally, a spirit came forward, stood before the Lord and said, “I will entice him.” “‘By what means?’ the Lord asked. “‘I will go and be a deceiving spirit in the mouths of all his prophets,’ he said. “‘You will succeed in enticing him,’ said the Lord. ‘Go and do it.’ ‘So now the Lord has put a deceiving spirit in the mouths of these prophets of yours. The Lord has decreed disaster for you.'” (2 Chronicles 18:18-22)

This passage offers a dramatic and unique insight into the heavenly realm, where God permits a deceiving spirit to lead Ahab to his demise. It underscores the concept of divine sovereignty and justice; God’s will is paramount and will be accomplished even through the flawed decisions and evil plans of humans. It serves as a poignant reminder of the perils of going against divine counsel and the eventual triumph of God’s judgment and truth.

Verses 23-27: Micaiah’s Imprisonment

“Then Zedekiah son of Kenaanah went up and slapped Micaiah in the face. ‘Which way did the spirit from[a] the Lord go when he went from me to speak to you?’ he asked. Micaiah replied, ‘You will find out on the day you go to hide in an inner room.’ The king of Israel then ordered, ‘Take Micaiah and send him back to Amon the ruler of the city and to Joash the king’s son, 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.”‘ Micaiah declared, ‘If you ever return safely, the Lord has not spoken through me.’ Then he added, ‘Mark my words, all you people!'” (2 Chronicles 18:23-27)

The reaction to Micaiah’s prophecy is one of hostility and violence, as evidenced by Zedekiah’s strike and the order to imprison Micaiah. Nevertheless, Micaiah’s unwavering faith in his message is evident. He boldly proclaims that Ahab’s return in peace would disprove his prophecy, inviting the people to witness the fulfillment of God’s word, illustrating the ultimate victory of divine truth over human denial and opposition.

Verses 28-34: The Fulfillment of Prophecy

“So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went up to Ramoth Gilead. The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, ‘I will enter the battle in disguise, but you wear your royal robes.’ So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle. Now the king of Aram had ordered his chariot commanders, ‘Do not fight with anyone, small or great, except the king of Israel.’ When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they thought, ‘This is the king of Israel.’ So they turned to attack him, but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the Lord helped him. God drew them away from him, for when the chariot commanders saw that he was not the king of Israel, they stopped pursuing him. But someone drew his bow at random and hit the king of Israel between the breastplate and the scale armor. The king told the chariot driver, ‘Wheel around and get me out of the fighting. I’ve been wounded.’ All day long the battle raged, and the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot facing the Arameans until evening; then at sunset, he died.” (2 Chronicles 18:28-34)

The culmination of this narrative is the battle at Ramoth Gilead, where Ahab’s attempt to disguise himself fails due to divine orchestration. Despite Jehoshaphat’s near-miss, God protects him, affirming the prophetically guided destiny of David’s line in contrast to Ahab’s fate. A “random” arrow striking Ahab, leading to his death, dramatically fulfills Micaiah’s prophecy. This occurrence highlights the futility of resisting God’s will and the ultimate execution of divine justice.

Conclusion: Lessons and Reflections

2 Chronicles Chapter 18 is rich with lessons on divine sovereignty, the integrity of prophecy, and the consequences of alliances opposed to God’s will. Jehoshaphat’s alliance with Ahab, despite his pious intentions, serves as a cautionary tale of compromising with evil influences. Micaiah stands as a beacon of prophetic fidelity and courage in the face of opposition, exemplifying the crucial role of truthful and godly counsel in leadership.

Moreover, the divine council scene reveals the complexity of God’s sovereignty, where even deceitful spirits serve His ultimate plans. This chapter encourages believers to seek and adhere to Godly wisdom, underscoring the importance of discernment and the inevitable fulfillment of God’s word.

Overall, this chapter intertwines historical events with profound theological truths, offering timeless insights into the nature of divine justice, prophetic truth, and the repercussions of human actions in defiance or alignment with God’s will.