When Jehoshaphat followed God, God blessed him beyond measure. God gave Judah's king power, glory, riches, honor, fighting men, and much, much more. From what I've deducted, Judah (only 2 tribes) had many more fighting men than Israel (10 tribes). I don't know that for sure, but I do know that when Ahab king of Israel contemplated going to war with the king of Aram, he didn't want to go alone.
Oh that's right...do you still have your Bibles with you? If not, you might want to go grab one. I'll be posting the key passages in this article, but it's really a whole different experience to actually read the complete chapter or passage for yourself in an actual book. You might gain insights that you normally might not get!
So let's check out 2 Chronicles 18:1-3:
Now Jehoshaphat had great wealth and honor, and he allied himself with Ahab by marriage. Some years later he went down to see Ahab in Samaria. Ahab slaughtered many sheep and cattle for him and the people with him and urged him to attack Ramoth Gilead. Ahab king of Israel asked Jehoshaphat king of Judah, “Will you go with me against Ramoth Gilead?”
I must admit, when I first read this passage, I was quite surprised. Why in the world would Jehoshaphat ally himself with Ahab, and especially by marriage? I did some research on the subject, and found out how it all worked: Jehoram (Jehoshaphat's prince son) married wicked Athaliah, daughter of Ahab and Jezebel. Do I need to explain any more....?!! No wonder Jehoram was such a rotten king (see 2 Chronicles 21:4-20). I'm contemplating writing a devotional on this sad story someday. Jehoram came to quite an unpleasant end...but at the same time, is quite comical too!
OK, but back to Ahab and Jehoshaphat! So these guys are already allianced by marriage, and one day Ahab calls Jehoshaphat to a grand feast. Ahab, charistically, slaughtered many animals and made everything as cozy as he could for Jehoshaphat. When Jehoshaphat's brain wasn't exactly working the best, when Judah's king was perhaps a bit deluded, Ahab slyly popped the question: "Will you help me go fight my enemies?"
Jehoshaphat answered, in essence, "Oh sure, Ahab! Consider my men your men. Let's go fight together!" Jehoshaphat still had some rationale, however, and so he asked Ahab to ask of God what they should do.
So the king of Israel brought together the prophets—four hundred men—and asked them, “Shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I not?” ~ 2 Chron. 18:5
The (false) prophets (naturally) replied positively, but Jehoshaphat insisted on asking the advice of a prophet of God. What was Ahab's response? Let's check out v. 7:
"The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, “There is still one prophet through whom we can inquire of the LORD, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.”
!!!!!!!!! "Yeah, Jeho, there's still one true prophet. But I hate 'em because he never says anything good about me!" !!!!!!!!!!!! Even though he didn't like it, Ahab did summon Micaiah. What did Micaiah say? Read v. 16:
"Then Micaiah answered, “I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd, and the LORD said, ‘These people have no master. Let each one go home in peace.’”
Micaiah then delves into a hard-to-believe-yet-I'm-sure-true story about how God tried to get Ahab killed...it's very fascinating, be sure to read it in v. 18-22.
Now let me just share with you, straight from the Bible, how this interaction between Ahab and Micaiah turns out:
"The king of Israel then ordered, “Take Micaiah and send him back to Amon the ruler of the city and to Joash the king’s son, and say, ‘This is what the king says: Put this fellow in prison and give him nothing but bread and water until I return safely.’”
Micaiah declared, “If you ever return safely, the LORD has not spoken through me.” Then he added, “Mark my words, all you people!”" ~ v. 25-27
Now them's fightin' words! Long story short; Ahab and Jehoshaphat didn't take Micaiah's advice (Why??). The two kings did go to battle with the king of Aram at Ramoth Gilead, but in very different clothing. Jehoshaphat wore his royal robes, but Ahab went disguised as a common soldier. All the king of Aram wanted was Ahab; so naturally the soldiers went after Jehoshaphat first. The good king cried out to God, however, and the enemy soon realized their mistake. They stopped pursuing Jehoshaphat. Ahab died in this manner:
"But someone drew his bow at random and hit the king of Israel between the breastplate and the scale armor. The king told the chariot driver, “Wheel around and get me out of the fighting. I’ve been wounded.” All day long the battle raged, and the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot facing the Arameans until evening. Then at sunset he died."
Why did Jehoshaphat unite with evil King Ahab? Why, why, why? I honestly don't know. I know that God wasn't pleased; when Jehoshaphat safely returned to Jerusalem a prophet gave him this message:
“Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is on you. There is, however, some good in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles and have set your heart on seeking God.” ~ 2 Chron. 19:2-3
Jehoshaphat was human. He made mistakes. But the big difference between him and his father Asa is this: he was willing to accept reproof. He honestly tried to change his ways, to follow God even closer. Because of this, God was able to work through Jehoshaphat and Judah in a mighty way--learn about that next week!
I think that's the lesson we can learn from this story, too. Even if we do make mistakes (we do!), if we repent God is still willing to help us and work through us. Isn't that amazing?
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
~ Jeremiah 29:11
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