There was no conflict in the land of Israel due to the peace treaty between the king of Aram and Ahab, which endured for three years. Furthermore, the kingdom of Israel enjoyed tranquillity with the southern kingdom, as Jehoshaphat had established an alliance with Ahab through marriage. Ahab experienced unprecedented peace during this period of his reign. However, Ahab sought to disrupt this tranquillity by devising a plan to reclaim the town of Ramoth Gilead from the Arameans.
So he asked Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to fight against Ramoth Gilead?”
1 Kings 22:4 (NIV)
Jehoshaphat replied to the king of Israel, “I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.”
Jehoshaphat and Ahab
Jehoshaphat had aligned himself with the king of Israel and was even willing to pledge his loyalty when they went to war with the king of Aram. Like his father Asa, Jehoshaphat did everything right in the eyes of the LORD. He even sent his officials and Levites to the towns of Judah to educate them about the Torah. During his reign, the fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms surrounding Judah and none of them dared mount an attack against them. Even the Philistines who were Israel’s oldest foe, brought gifts such as gold and silver as tribute. Yet, in aligning himself with Ahab, he had acted foolishly by not consulting God.
However, before embarking on the campaign against the Arameans, Jehoshaphat encouraged Ahab to seek the guidance of the LORD. Subsequently, the king assembled his retinue of sycophants, the so-called prophets who unanimously endorsed Ahab’s decision. These individuals were not prophesying but merely telling the king what he wanted to hear. They were relying on past victories in recent wars, which had fostered their reliance on the king’s military might. Nonetheless, as later revealed by the LORD’s prophet, they were being misled by a deceiving spirit. Unbeknownst to them, their misplaced confidence was based on the false vision that they had received, leading them to believe in their own words.
When we provide unfounded assurances to others without having received a definitive answer from the LORD, we are misleading them. In such instances, we may rationalize our misguided behaviour by convincing ourselves that we are fostering a connection to God by telling individuals what they want to hear. By offering false promises of blessings or healing without receiving guidance from God, we are, in essence, being led astray by deceitful spirits, akin to the prophets who acted against the will of the LORD for various reasons.
Michaiah’s Prophecy Against Ahab
Jehoshaphat, however, remained unconvinced by the grandiosity displayed by the prophets of Ahab and requested counsel from a prophet of the LORD. Ahab then summoned Micaiah, a prophet of the LORD whom he despised due to Micaiah’s previous prophecies against him. The messengers sent to Micaiah cautioned him to align his prophecy with that of the other prophets, but Micaiah resolutely asserted that his prophecy would only be from the LORD. Nevertheless, when Micaiah appeared before the king, he delivered a deceptive message, giving false reassurances of victory in the war.
The king said to him, “How many times must I make you swear to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?”
1 Kings 22:16-17 (NIV)
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 made Ahab and Jehoshaphat aware of how they had been deceived by the spirit sent by the LORD. He warned them that if they did not heed his advice, Ahab would meet his death on the battlefield. Despite knowing that the LORD had allowed the spirit of deception to mislead Ahab, he still proceeded to battle. Ahab had been the one to initiate the plan to take Ramoth Gilead in the first place. However, backing down would make him appear weak in the presence of the king of Judah. Instead, he took a cautious approach by disguising himself and deceiving Jehoshaphat into being the only one resembling a king on the battlefield. The king of Israel ordered to put Micaiah in prison and give him only bread and water until he returned safely.
The king of Aram ordered his commanders not to fight anyone except the king of Israel. When they mistook Jehoshaphat for the king of Israel, they pursued him but stopped when they realized their mistake. However, despite his best efforts, a random arrow struck the king of Israel, and he later died from his wounds. The battle continued until evening, and after the king’s death, he was brought back to Samaria and buried there. His chariot was washed at a pool in Samaria, where the dogs licked up his blood, as prophesied by the LORD through Elijah.
The Repercussions
After the war, upon Jehoshaphat’s return to his city, he faced reproach from Jehu for forming an alliance with the king of Judah. Later, prophet Eliezer also rebuked him for entering into business with Ahaziah, Ahab’s son. His ships met ruin, never venturing out to sea, as a consequence of his defiance of the word of the LORD. Jehoshaphat passed away and was succeeded by his son, Jehoram, as king. Meanwhile, Ahaziah, son of Ahab, followed in his father’s footsteps, committing despicable acts before the LORD.
Like Jehoshaphat, there are times when we may knowingly or unknowingly find ourselves surrounded by people who are working against God’s plan. Despite receiving multiple warnings from the LORD, we find it difficult to sever our ties with them. We may hope that our efforts can help save them from disaster, but often we end up becoming entangled in their chaos. Let us turn to God for the strength we need to take a stand for Him, even when the world around us stands against Him.
Discussion Questions
- Why were the prophets of Ahab brimming with confidence concerning the outcome of the war?
- After proclaiming that he will only carry out the will of God. why does Micaiah change his tune when he reaches the gates of Samaria?
- Even after being told that the LORD has put the spirit of deceiving into the prophets to misguide Ahab, why does the king still go into battle?
- How can Jehoshaphat be at peace with Ahab and still do everything right in the eyes of the LORD?
The Jordan Valley 
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