Ahab is Killed And Jehoshaphat is spared
December 29, 2022
Commentary
In this passage Ahab and Jehoshaphat go forth disguised against Syria into battle. Jehoshaphat, who had been a godly king, agreed to this unholy alliance and then decided that the Lord should be consulted on the matter (I Kings 22:5).
Even though Ahab was in disguise he was struck by the enemy arrow and died at the end of the day. We find Jehoshaphat was spared by the goodness of God and managed to escape. When Jehoshaphat got back to Jerusalem he was met by the Prophet Jehu who was the son of the prophet Hanani. Jehu rebuked Jehoshaphat for his ungodly alliance with Ahab (19:1-2).
Then the prophet Jehu praised him for his removal of paganism in Judah (17:6) and he prepared his heart to seek God. (19:3).
Application
Proverbs27:5 says, “Open rebuke is better than secret love.” And Proverbs 3:27 says, “Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.” Just like the prophet rebuked Jehoshaphat, the Lord chastens His children (Hebrews 12:6), which is us if we are His child. If we correct our children the results will bring delight to our souls (Proverbs 29:17). Do you find that after we are corrected then we are more obedient children?
2 Chronicles 18:28– 34 (NET)
28 The king of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah attacked Ramoth Gilead. 29 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and then enter the battle, but you wear your royal attire.” So the king of Israel disguised himself and they entered the battle. 30 Now the king of Syria had ordered his chariot commanders, “Do not fight common soldiers or high ranking officers; fight only the king of Israel!” 31 When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “He must be the king of Israel!” So they turned and attacked him, but Jehoshaphat cried out. The Lord helped him; God lured them away from him. 32 When the chariot commanders realized he was not the king of Israel, they turned away from him. 33 Now an archer shot an arrow at random, and it struck the king of Israel between the plates of his armor. The king ordered his charioteer, “Turn around and take me from the battle line, for I am wounded.” 34 While the battle raged throughout the day, the king of Israel stood propped up in his chariot opposite the Syrians. He died in the evening as the sun was setting.