3 The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him. He did not consult the Baals 4 but sought the God of his father and followed his commands RATHER THAN THE PRACTICES OF ISRAEL. 5 The Lord established the kingdom under his control; and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat, so that he had great wealth and honour. 2 Chronicles 17
The introduction of Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 17 is one of the absolute Favour of God, very few Kings received such a measure of blessing. One of the reasons given for such abundance is recorded in verse 4, ‘he didn’t follow the practices of his brothers in Israel, Baal worship’.
The next chapter, 2 Chronicles 18, is longer and begins with an important statement;
18 Now Jehoshaphat had great wealth and honour, AND HE ALLIED HIMSELF WITH AHAB (King of Israel) by marriage.
Such alliances were common in history when the ruling houses would intermarry and make treaties with one another, to prevent wars. However, the Bible narrative concerning this alliance is longer and has more to say than God’s blessings on Jehoshaphat.
Jehoshaphat went to visit Ahab in Samaria and a feast was held in his honour, a change from being at war with their brothers. Ahab asked that Judah go to war with him against Ramoth Gilead and Jehoshaphat agreed, but demanded that they, ‘First seek the counsel of the Lord’. This led to a confrontation of the 400 prophets of Baal and the only remaining prophet of the Lord, Micaiah.
The prophets of Baal unanimously advocated going to war and Micaiah initially agreed, to prevent trouble. Ahab demanded that he be truthful and so the veil is pulled back and a short account of God’s throne in heaven is revealed. God had decreed death for King Ahab at Ramoth Gilead and He asked for suggestions to entice him into battle.
‘One suggested this, and another that. 20 Finally, a spirit came forward, stood before the Lord and said, “I will entice him.”
‘“By what means?” the Lord asked.
21 ‘“I will go and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets,” he said.
‘“You will succeed in enticing him,” said the Lord. “Go and do it.”
Micaiah’s revelation of this enraged Zedekiah, a prophet of Baal and he insulted and slapped Micaiah before the two kings. Micaiah didn’t back down but spoke an instant judgement upon the prophet. WE MUST BE VERY CAREFUL NEVER TO JUDGE SOMEONE WHO IS SPEAKING FOR THE LORD, NO MATTER HOW STRANGE THEY SEEM. ALWAYS KEEP OUR HEARTS RIGHT!
Micaiah was thrown into jail, on bread and water, but as he said, Ahab never returned alive to Samaria, he was killed in battle. Jehoshaphat could also have lost his life, but the Lord rescued him.
So they turned to attack him, but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the Lord helped him. God drew them away from him (2 Chron. 18:31)
The Lord broke the unhealthy alliance by the death of Ahab.
When Jehoshaphat returned to Jerusalem he was met by Hanani the seer who rebuked him with a message from the Lord.
2 Jehu the seer, the son of Hanani, went out to meet him and said to the king, ‘Should you help the wicked and love (make alliances with) those who hate the Lord? Because of this, the wrath of the Lord is on you. 2 Chronicles 19
Jehoshaphat was a good King but he could have lost his life through partnering with someone from a different spiritual camp. God rescued him but was not pleased that he’d made an ally of somebody who despised the God who’d blessed him so greatly. GOD’S CHILDREN MUST BEWARE WHO WE COME INTO AGREEMENT WITH IN THESE DAYS!
God bless and keep you today.