1 Kings 22-2 Kings 1

Introduction

We ended last week with the judgement of Ahab delivered by Elijah but the “mercy” of God in that Ahab would die before the full judgement came to pass over his full household.

his was only an earthly, fleshly repentance so he’ll only get the earthly mercy of not having to watch his entire family destroyed by God; then he’ll face eternal judgement because he didn’t seek the full pardon of God

We’ll be finishing up learning about Ahab this morning.

I pointed out that I was coming to think Ahab carried more guilt and maybe more evil than Jezebel

One piece of evidence is that God spends 6-7 chapters teaching us about Ahab and only 2-3 chapters about Jezebel

If Ahab would have been seeking to be a Godly king he would have never married Jezebel; if after marriage she would have suddenly changed into this queen leading Israel into idolatry back then in the theonomy of Israel, put her to death (of course Paul helps us see in the NT that today it would be by Godly leadership and prayer)

So as we go through the last chapter of 1 Kings and the first chapter of 2 Kings, it can kind of be confusing across these two chapters who and where we are talking about, so I want to give a little reminder.

The northern kingdom of Israel with its capital in Samaria, the king is Ahab married to Jezebel

The southern kingdom of Judah, in the capital of Jerusalem, there is another king. The king's name is Jehoshaphat.

2 Chronicles 14:2 “2 And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God:”

1 Kings 15:24 “24 And Asa slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead.”

1 Kings 22:43 “43 And he walked in all the ways of Asa his father;"

1 Kings 22

The Alliance Between Ahab and Jehoshaphat

1 Kings 22:1–4 KJV

1 And they continued three years without war between Syria and Israel. 2 And it came to pass in the third year, that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel. 3 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? 4 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.

Jehoshaphat starts better than he’ll finish. We’ll see more in verse 43 but even here we see him looking to form political alliances against godly wisdom for economic and political gain

2 Chronicles 18:1 “1 Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab.”

affinity is the marriage alliance between Jehoshaphat’s son Jehoram and Ahab’s daughter Athaliah

Ahab suggests and Jehoshaphat agrees

Seeking the Lord's Counsel

1 Kings 22:5–7 KJV

5 And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day. 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. 7 And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him?

Should have done this before and not after

The language will suggest these are Ahab’s prophets for hire not real prophets

Calling for Micaiah

1 Kings 22:8–9 KJV

8 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so. 9 Then the king of Israel called an officer, and said, Hasten hither Micaiah the son of Imlah.

The False Prophets' Display

1 Kings 22:10–12 KJV

10 And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat each on his throne, having put on their robes, in a void place in the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them. 11 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron: and he said, Thus saith the LORD, With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until thou have consumed them. 12 And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the king’s hand.

Zedekiah is

The Messenger's Instructions to Micaiah

1 Kings 22:13–14 KJV

13 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. 14 And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak.

Micaiah's Initial Response and True Vision

1 Kings 22:15–16 KJV

15 So he came to the king. And the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall we forbear? And he answered him, Go, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king. 16 And the king said unto him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but that which is true in the name of the LORD?

1 Kings 22:17–18 KJV

17 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. 18 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would prophesy no good concerning me, but evil?

Micaiah's Vision of the Heavenly Council

1 Kings 22:19–23 KJV

19 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. 20 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. 21 And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him. 22 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. 23 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.

In Micaiah’s vision, Yahweh asks for a volunteer to be the means of His sovereign decree of judgement against Ahab

A lying spirit steps up and say’s he’ll do it by using the false prophets

Before anyone reads or hears that and thinks or accuses me of saying God sins:

#1 it’s the Bible saying it not me

#2 no dishonesty when God Himself sent Elijah to Ahab and told him it was coming and then here uses Micaiah to tell Ahab “I’m going to deceive you”; there’s no lying when you tell someone you’re going to lie to them

Zedekiah's Anger and Micaiah's Imprisonment

1 Kings 22:24–28 KJV

24 But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near, and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee? 25 And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself. 26 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; 27 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. 28 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.

Now the prophets are mad when Micaiah calls them all false prophets so Zedekiah smacks his Micaiah’s jaw and asks him sarcastically “which way did the Spirit of the Lord go when he left me and went to you?”

Micaiah’s answer: Your terror will show you which way he went

The Battle at Ramoth-gilead

1 Kings 22:29–33 KJV

29 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramothgilead. 30 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and enter into the battle; but put thou on thy robes. And the king of Israel disguised himself, and went into the battle. 31 But the king of Syria commanded his thirty and two captains that had rule over his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small nor great, save only with the king of Israel. 32 And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, Surely it is the king of Israel. And they turned aside to fight against him: and Jehoshaphat cried out. 33 And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, that they turned back from pursuing him.

for context to follow historical guess would 15-25k soldiers on each side and Benhadad had told them “don’t fight with anybody other than Ahab, i want him dead!” (he’s still a bit upset over the beatings Ahab’s army had given him and the humiliation of having to beg Ahab for mercy)

Ahab's Death

1 Kings 22:34–36 KJV

34 And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded. 35 And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot. 36 And there went a proclamation throughout the host about the going down of the sun, saying, Every man to his city, and every man to his own country.

“at a venture”: Heb. “in his simplicity”, out of 15-25k soldiers he picked a “random” one to shoot an arrow at

Ahab's Burial and the Fulfillment of Prophecy

1 Kings 22:37–38 KJV

37 So the king died, and was brought to Samaria; and they buried the king in Samaria. 38 And one washed the chariot in the pool of Samaria; and the dogs licked up his blood; and they washed his armour; according unto the word of the LORD which he spake.

1 Kings 21:19 “19 And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.”

Summary of Ahab's Reign

1 Kings 22:39–40 KJV

39 Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the ivory house which he made, and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? 40 So Ahab slept with his fathers; and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead.

Jehoshaphat's Reign in Judah

1 Kings 22:41–44 KJV

41 And Jehoshaphat the son of Asa began to reign over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel. 42 Jehoshaphat was thirty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi. 43 And he walked in all the ways of Asa his father; he turned not aside from it, doing that which was right in the eyes of the LORD: nevertheless the high places were not taken away; for the people offered and burnt incense yet in the high places. 44 And Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel.

If Asa did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and Jehoshaphat followed Asa, he started well.

We even see that:

2 Chronicles 17:3–9 “3 And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim; 4 But sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel. 5 Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance. 6 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah. 7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah. 8 And with them he sent Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests. 9 And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the LORD with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people.”

Fast forward to an unholy marriage for his son and now we see it wasn’t all the high places and idolatry he wiped out and what’s worse is he’ll end even worse than this

1 Kings 22:45–49 KJV

45 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, and his might that he shewed, and how he warred, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? 46 And the remnant of the sodomites, which remained in the days of his father Asa, he took out of the land. 47 There was then no king in Edom: a deputy was king. 48 Jehoshaphat made ships of Tharshish to go to Ophir for gold: but they went not; for the ships were broken at Eziongeber. 49 Then said Ahaziah the son of Ahab unto Jehoshaphat, Let my servants go with thy servants in the ships. But Jehoshaphat would not.

He was trying to match Solomon in fleet size and wealth

Jehoshaphat's Death and Ahaziah's Evil Reign

1 Kings 22:50–53 KJV

50 And Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Jehoram his son reigned in his stead. 51 Ahaziah the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned two years over Israel. 52 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of his father, and in the way of his mother, and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin: 53 For he served Baal, and worshipped him, and provoked to anger the LORD God of Israel, according to all that his father had done.

2 Kings 1

originally Kings was one book, split at the LXX to use less space in scrolls and codices (books).

The Books of 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings combined represent a chronicle of the entire history of Judah’s and Israel’s kingship from Saul to Zedekiah. First and Second Chronicles provides only the history of Judah’s monarchy.

Moab's Rebellion and Ahaziah's Injury, Elijah's Divine Commission and Message, The Messengers' Return and Report, Identifying the Prophet

2 Kings 1:1–8 KJV

1 Then Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab. 2 And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease. 3 But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say unto them, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron? 4 Now therefore thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. And Elijah departed. 5 And when the messengers turned back unto him, he said unto them, Why are ye now turned back? 6 And they said unto him, There came a man up to meet us, and said unto us, Go, turn again unto the king that sent you, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that thou sendest to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron? therefore thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. 7 And he said unto them, What manner of man was he which came up to meet you, and told you these words? 8 And they answered him, He was an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite.

This is Ahaziah of Israel

Really confusing aspects of 1 and 2 Kings because these are popular royal names appearing multiple times in both kingdoms during overlapping time periods. Here's the breakdown:

The Two Jehorams:

Jehoram of Israel - Son of Ahab, ruled Israel c. 852-841 BCE

Jehoram of Judah - Son of Jehoshaphat, ruled Judah c. 848-841 BCE (note the overlap!)

The Two Ahaziahs:

Ahaziah of Israel - Son of Ahab, ruled Israel c. 853-852 BCE (ruled before his brother Jehoram)

Ahaziah of Judah - Son of Jehoram of Judah, ruled Judah c. 841 BCE

Judgement was death for looking to any god other than Yahweh

The First and Second Captain and His Fifty Men

2 Kings 1:9–12 KJV

9 Then the king sent unto him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him: and, behold, he sat on the top of an hill. And he spake unto him, Thou man of God, the king hath said, Come down. 10 And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty. 11 Again also he sent unto him another captain of fifty with his fifty. And he answered and said unto him, O man of God, thus hath the king said, Come down quickly. 12 And Elijah answered and said unto them, If I be a man of God, let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And the fire of God came down from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.

More fire from God at Elijah’s request. That fire was the proof Elijah was the real prophet of Yahweh

The Third Captain's Humble Approach

2 Kings 1:13–14 KJV

13 And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight. 14 Behold, there came fire down from heaven, and burnt up the two captains of the former fifties with their fifties: therefore let my life now be precious in thy sight.

Elijah's Journey to the King

2 Kings 1:15–16 KJV

15 And the angel of the LORD said unto Elijah, Go down with him: be not afraid of him. And he arose, and went down with him unto the king. 16 And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron, is it not because there is no God in Israel to enquire of his word? therefore thou shalt not come down off that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.

Ahaziah's Death and Jehoram's Succession

2 Kings 1:17–18 KJV

17 So he died according to the word of the LORD which Elijah had spoken. And Jehoram reigned in his stead in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah; because he had no son. 18 Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

Conclusion

We continue to see the sins or holiness of the fathers trickle down and pick up speed in the children

In Jehoshaphat we see the danger of only partially following God and outside of God’s grace will lead us away from God and not back to Him

In the death of Ahab we see yet another example of the providence of God

After being dismissed from his Northampton pastorate in 1750, Jonathan Edwards moved his family to the dangerous frontier town of Stockbridge, Massachusetts, to minister to both English settlers and Native Americans during the French and Indian War. When someone in his household told him about a dream they kept having about Edwards being shot with an arrow, what did he think? He responded in true Edwards fashion: "If I thought it was God's decree, I wouldn't want it to miss."

I don’t know how true or how accurate but think about that answer. "If I thought it was God's decree, I wouldn't want it to miss." That’s the faith and trust in God I want myself and my family and my church to have!