Even Kings can’t live wrong and expect the Favour of God.
We saw last week that Rehoboam met with the people just before his coronation, when they asked him to reduce the burden his father Solomon had put on them. The elders advised him to listen to the people,
7 They replied, ‘If today you will be a servant to these people and serve them and give them a favourable answer, they will always be your servants.’ 1 Kings 12
Rehoboam, however, rejected their advice and the ten northern tribes left and came under the rule of Jeroboam. They also turned away from the Lord at this time and began to worship idols.
Ahab, King of Israel (with his infamous wife, Jezebel) asked Jehoshaphat, King of Judah to join him in battle against Aram and recover Ramoth Gilead. Ahab consulted all his prophets, about 400 men and they prophesied victory to him. Jehoshaphat must have been unhappy, because he asked for a prophet of the Lord to be consulted.
7 But Jehoshaphat asked, ‘Is there no longer a prophet of the Lord here whom we can enquire of?’
8 The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, ‘There is still ONE PROPHET (Only one prophet of the Lord left!) through whom we can enquire of the Lord, but I HATE HIM because HE NEVER PROPHESIES ANYTHING GOOD ABOUT ME, BUT ALWAYS BAD. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.’ 1 Kings 22
Jezebel had murdered many true prophets of the Lord during the reign of Ahab, but Micaiah had apparently escaped. Ahab sent for him and the messenger told Micaiah what the false prophets were saying.
13 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 FAVOURABLY.’ 1 Kings 22
Micaiah tried to appease Ahab, but eventually he told the two kings what he’d been shown in the Lord’s Throne Room.
21 Finally, a spirit came forward, stood before the Lord and said, “I will entice him.”
22 ‘“By what means?” the Lord asked.
‘“I will go out and be a Lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets,” he said.
ONE Spirit, MANY Mouths (False prophetic mouths)
Four hundred, all prophesying the same lie and one man standing saying the opposite. One of the four hundred then slapped the true prophet, for daring to expose how false they all were. They couldn’t stand the truth being revealed.
Today we have news media that all repeats the same story, over and over ad nauseum. But, no matter how often they repeat their stories, the truth will eventually come out. On this occasion the King died in battle and soon after his despotic wife died too, just as Elijah had prophesied.
Two kings who tried to have their own way, but God didn’t permit it. The rulers of this day are just as surely under His Hand and would be best to humble themselves. We and they can’t turn our backs on God and expect His Favour.
God bless and keep you today.