In Today's Email:
I Kings 22 Notes
In this chapter Jehoshaphat and Ahab go into war together.
vs. 1-12 – Ahab seeks an alliance with the Kingdom of Judah and Jehoshaphat. He gathers 400 prophets that all say that God will give them victory. One named Zedekiah (“justice of Jehovah”) goes so far as to use very dramatic object lessons. Jehoshaphat is not satisfied and seeks another prophet. It is important to note that the Northern and Southern Kingdoms are no longer openly hostile toward each other, as they were early after the split. Now they act as allies and have many political ties that bind them together. Their royal houses intertwine with marriages. This does not mean the tribes are united again as they were under Saul, David, and Solomon, but the relationship between them is definitely friendlier.
vs. 13-28 – When Michaiah (“who is like God?”) arrives. The king is not pleased with his initial answer because he does not say it in the name of the Lord. He reveals that the other prophets were lying because God was setting Ahab up for defeat. Zedekiah mocks him and slaps him. Ahab has the prophet thrown into prison and says he will be released when he is proven wrong, and the king returns safely from battle.
vs. 29-40 – Ahab disguises himself in the day of battle which was a good tactic since the Syrians were specifically looking for him. It was a “nameless, aimless” bowman that let fly a fatal arrow that struck Ahab in the back. With Ahab mortally wounded the attack ends and they retreat. Ahab dies and is buried in Samaria, but in fulfillment of prophecy the dogs licked the blood that was washed from his chariot. Ahab was succeeded by his son Ahaziah (“sustained by the Lord”).
vs. 41-50 – Jehoshaphat was a good king that reigned for 25 years over Judah. He drove the sodomites from the land but did not take away the high places. He brought peace to the tribes of Israel by making a treaty with the Northern kingdom. He controlled the territory of Edom and built ships at the port of Eziongeber. Unfortunately, these ships were destroyed before they could sail. His son Jehoram/Joram (“whom Jehovah has exalted”) succeeded him.
vs. 51-53 – Ahaziah reigned over Israel walked in the ways of his forebears and did evil in the sight of the Lord.
Closing Thoughts
If you pay very careful attention the history of this period, you will notice how strong the ties are becoming between Israel and Judah. They go to war together, trade together, and make marriages between the rival ruling houses. It is a terrible mistake on Jehoshaphat’s part to initiate this. It will cause more trouble as we continue, almost ending the Davidic line. We are reminded of Paul’s exhortation in II Corinthians 6:14 to not be “unequally yoked” with unbelievers. Rarely do the righteous affect the unrighteous for good, but the unrighteous almost always negatively affect the righteous.
Hymn for Today
Our hymn today was originally written by Baptist pastor James Fanch in 1776. “Beyond the Glittering Starry Globe” tells of the angelic worship of Christ. It ties to our text in 22:19 in which Micaiah describes the angles around God’s throne. Fun fact: in 1794 Daniel Turner added 14 more verses to this hymn.
Beyond the glittering starry globe
Far as the eternal hills,
There, in the boundless worlds of light,
Our Great Redeemer dwells.
Immortal angels, bright and fair,
In countless armies shine,
At his right hand, with golden harps,
To offer songs divine.
"Hail! Prince," they cry, "for ever hail!
Whose unexampled love
Moved thee to quit these glorious realms
And royalties above!"
While Thou didst condescend on earth
To suffer rude disdain,
They cast their honours at Thy feet,
And waited in Thy train.
Through all thy travels here below
They did thy steps attend;
Oft gazed and wondered where at last
The scene of love would end.
They saw thy heart transfixed with wounds,
Thy crimson sweat and gore;
They saw thee break the bars of death,
As none e'er broke before.
They brought thy chariot from above
To bear thee to thy throne;
Clapp'd their triumphant wings and cried
“The glorious work is done!”