A TALE OF TWO KINGS
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, you whose hands made me and formed me—‘give me understanding to learn your commands. Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust your commands.’ (from Psalm 119:73, 66).
Read 1 KINGS 22:29–53
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Ahab Killed at Ramoth Gilead
29 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went up to Ramoth Gilead. 30 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will enter the battle in disguise, but you wear your royal robes.” So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle.
31 Now the king of Aram had ordered his thirty-two chariot commanders, “Do not fight with anyone, small or great, except the king of Israel.” 32 When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they thought, “Surely this is the king of Israel.” So they turned to attack him, but when Jehoshaphat cried out, 33 the chariot commanders saw that he was not the king of Israel and stopped pursuing him.
34 But someone drew his bow at random and hit the king of Israel between the sections of his armor. The king told his chariot driver, “Wheel around and get me out of the fighting. I’ve been wounded.” 35 All day long the battle raged, and the king was propped up in his chariot facing the Arameans. The blood from his wound ran onto the floor of the chariot, and that evening he died. 36 As the sun was setting, a cry spread through the army: “Every man to his town. Every man to his land!”
37 So the king died and was brought to Samaria, and they buried him there. 38 They washed the chariot at a pool in Samaria (where the prostitutes bathed),[a] and the dogs licked up his blood, as the word of the Lord had declared.
39 As for the other events of Ahab’s reign, including all he did, the palace he built and adorned with ivory, and the cities he fortified, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel? 40 Ahab rested with his ancestors. And Ahaziah his son succeeded him as king.
Jehoshaphat King of Judah
41 Jehoshaphat son of Asa became king of Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel. 42 Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years. His mother’s name was Azubah daughter of Shilhi. 43 In everything he followed the ways of his father Asa and did not stray from them; he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. The high places, however, were not removed, and the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.[b] 44 Jehoshaphat was also at peace with the king of Israel.
45 As for the other events of Jehoshaphat’s reign, the things he achieved and his military exploits, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah? 46 He rid the land of the rest of the male shrine prostitutes who remained there even after the reign of his father Asa. 47 There was then no king in Edom; a provincial governor ruled.
48 Now Jehoshaphat built a fleet of trading ships[c] to go to Ophir for gold, but they never set sail—they were wrecked at Ezion Geber. 49 At that time Ahaziah son of Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, “Let my men sail with yours,” but Jehoshaphat refused.
50 Then Jehoshaphat rested with his ancestors and was buried with them in the city of David his father. And Jehoram his son succeeded him as king.
Ahaziah King of Israel
51 Ahaziah son of Ahab became king of Israel in Samaria in the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and he reigned over Israel two years. 52 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, because he followed the ways of his father and mother and of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin. 53 He served and worshiped Baal and aroused the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, just as his father had done.
Footnotes
- 1 Kings 22:38 Or Samaria and cleaned the weapons
- 1 Kings 22:43 In Hebrew texts this sentence (22:43b) is numbered 22:44, and 22:44-53 is numbered 22:45-54.
- 1 Kings 22:48 Hebrew of ships of Tarshish
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
‘I have hidden your word in my heart that I may not sin against you’ (Psalm 119:11). How does God’s Word find its way into your heart? How do you carry his Word with you through the day?Ahab now had enough information to make a good decision (22:19–23), but he chose not to heed God’s Word (v. 29). It is almost laughable to see Ahab’s attempts to outwit God (v. 30). But when God decided to enact judgment (v. 34), nothing would hinder him. God’s judgment is not a topic that most people want to discuss or even think about. How might people today attempt to get around God’s judgment? Jesus was clear about judgment in Matthew 25:31, 32 and in his vision to John (Revelation 20:11–15). He has given us enough information to make wise decisions.
While Ahab received disaster and death, Jehoshaphat received the mercy and protection of God (vv. 32, 33). What did Jehoshaphat’s God-honoring reign (v. 43) look like day to day? He sought God’s counsel (22:5), he was discerning about advice (22:6,7), he encouraged others to seek God, he rebuked ungodly conduct (22:8), he learned from past mistakes (vv. 48, 49; see v. 4), and he was rigorous about holiness (v. 46). Let’s be more like Jehoshaphat today!
Apply
Ask God to convict you of places in your life where you need to honor him more faithfully.
Closing prayer
Thank you, Father, for your commands that bring me blessing. When I am not certain what direction to take, Holy Spirit, please help me listen to and follow your direction.
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