2 CHRONICLES 18

AHAB’S REBELLION LEADS TO HIS DEATH IN BATTLE

Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, meets with Ahab, King of Israel to form an alliance against Aram and their leader Ben-Hadad. Through this alliance, Jehoshaphat’s son Jehoram marries Athaliah, king Ahab’s daughter.

When deciding if they should attack the city of Ramoth Gilead, Jehoshaphat wants to ask God for guidance. Instead, Ahab asks 400 false prophets for guidance. The prophets encourage Ahab to attack, prophesying that Israel will be successful. Jehoshaphat is resistant to the advice of the false prophets and wants to consult Micaiah, a prophet of God. Ahab hates Micaiah because he had previously delivered bad news to the Israelites.

Micaiah knows the false prophets were lying and warned Ahab and Jehoshaphat not to attack Aram. Micaiah knew that disaster that awaited if they attempted war with Aram. Micaiah is struck by a man named Zedekiah and imprisoned for rebuking Ahab’s plans. Micaiah is confident in God’s wisdom and knows that Ahab would not return from battle alive.

Jehoshaphat wears his royal robes into battle, making him a more obvious target. Ahab, wanting to remain discreet, enters the battle disguised. One of the Arameans shot off an arrow, by accident and without aim, and killed Ahab! No disguise or battle plan is greater than the prophecy of God—His Word always comes to pass!