In the Near Eastern region, it was common to seek divine guidance before a battle. Jehoshaphat asked for the Lord’s will, while Ahab called in his own prophets who would tell him what he wanted to hear.
But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, “Inquire first for the word of the Lord.”
Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred of them, and said to them, “Shall I go to battle against Ramoth-gilead, or shall I refrain?”
They said, “Go up, for the Lord will give it into the hand of the king.” (1 Kings 22:5-6)
Today, we are studying this passage to compare prophets who serve the king versus those who serve God.
The prophets who work for the king share two things.
(1) The king pays and takes care of them.
(2) They tell the king what he wants to hear. Their words confirm his ideas and create an echo chamber for his leadership.
The Judean king didn’t want to risk his life and the lives of his soldiers on the counsel of a collection of “yes men.”
But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there no other prophet of the Lord here of whom we may inquire?” (1 Kings 22:7)
Ahab’s answer reveals as much about his character and lack of insight as anything he could have said.
The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is still one other by whom we may inquire of the Lord, Micaiah son of Imlah, but I hate him, for he never prophesies anything favorable about me but only disaster.” (1 Kings 22:8).
How many economic and political disasters would have been averted in our time if world leaders refused to act based on their corrupt desires that are echoed by “yes men” advisors?
Jehoshaphat recognized the ignorance of Ahab’s position and remarked, “Let the king not say such a thing.”
In an lengthy exchange Micaiah revealed God’s message for Ahab. Contrary to the king’s paid prophets, God’s true prophet said, “The Lord has decreed disaster for you.” (1 Kings 22:23).
Ahab refused to listen to the counsel of Micaiah and engaged in battle with the Syrians. Notice how the author describes God’s judgment on Ahab.
But a certain man drew his bow and unknowingly struck the king of Israel between the scale armor and the breastplate; so he said to the driver of his chariot, “Turn around and carry me out of the battle, for I am wounded.”
The battle grew hot that day, and the king was propped up in his chariot facing the Arameans until at evening he died; the blood from the wound had flowed into the bottom of the chariot (1 Kings 22:34-35).
What are the odds that an archer would shoot an arrow in the air, and it strikes the most vulnerable place in a person’s armor? The odds are perfect when God is directing the action.
Elijah had earlier told Ahab that the dogs would lick his blood much to the shame of the king. This aspect of God’s word also took place.
So the king died and was brought to Samaria; they buried the king in Samaria.
They washed the chariot by the pool of Samaria; the dogs licked up his blood, and the prostitutes washed themselves in it, according to the word of the Lord that he had spoken (1 Kings 22:37-38).
It is ironic that the pool in Samaria which was constructed by Ahab and Jezebel for pagan temple prostitutes to clean themselves was the place where the dogs licked his blood and the prostitutes bathed.
Ahab and Jezebel abused the power of the kingdom for personal interests. They were corrupt from the very beginning of their reign.
We can only wonder what the outcome would have been if the 400 wise men had the courage to give the royal couple godly and wise guidance.
When we survey world leaders today, many appear to resemble Ahab and Jezebel. Their nations and the world suffer because they live in an echo chamber filled with people who tell them what they want to hear.
It is risky to tell an authoritarian leader what they don’t want to hear. However, if you have been entrusted to give counsel to a leader, you owe it to the nation to give accurate guidance, even if you are hated as was the case of Micaiah.
The majority of world citizens have no voice in government. That doesn’t mean we can’t talk to God about what is going on. We can be like the prophets of old and listen for the word of the Lord. When we discern God’s will, we can ask Him to enforce His will on earth.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 