1 Kings 22

April 19

1 Kings 22

Jehoshaphat was a godly king, Ahab was not. Jehoshaphat remembered that the two nations, Judah and Israel, were one people delivered from Egypt by the hand of God. He sought to be an ally with Ahab. Ahab led him into war. Ahab was ready to charge in and fight the king of Aram, but Jehoshaphat wanted to check with God before going to battle. Ahab called in all the prophets who would say what he wanted to hear. Jehoshaphat did not care what these “yes men” had to say, he wanted to know what God had to say.

The writer of Proverbs wrote; "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed." (Proverbs 15:22, NIV) Advisors help us make wise decisions only if the advisors are wise. We all need people around us to help us make good decisions. When we surround ourselves with people who will allow us to make stupid decisions, what good are they doing? If everyone just says what we want them to say, why seek their opinion? Ahab did not really want to hear what God had to say. He did not consult true prophets because they did not tell him what he wanted to hear. When Jehoshaphat insisted they inquire of the Lord, Ahab agreed to hear what Micaiah had to say. Micaiah told Ahab that if he went to war with Aram, he would die. God had put lying spirits in his prophets and they were telling him false information.

Ahab would not hear it. He went to battle anyway, but disguised himself so no one would know he was the king. A stray arrow went between his armor and killed Ahab and dogs licked up his blood just as God had told him they would.

We can always find people to tell us what we want to hear, but what we really need are people who tell us what we need to hear. God gives us His instruction in the bible, He gives us guidance through the Holy Spirit, He gives us help through our sisters and brothers in the Lord. God gives us all the tools we need to make good decisions. We just have to listen to the right counsel.