2 Chronicles 18
Read 2 Chronicles 18
Helpful Background Information:
King Jehoshaphat was the fourth king of Judah, the southern kingdom, and the son of King Asa. Jehoshaphat had a heart devoted to the Lord and his ways, and even sent men throughout the kingdom to teach the people the Law of God.
Jehoshaphat foolishly makes an alliance with King Ahab, one of the wickedest kings throughout Israel’s history. Ahab makes a plan to retake Ramoth-Gilead back from the Arameans, and Jehoshaphat asks to seek counsel from the Lord before going into battle. Ahab brings 400 prophets who all affirm Ahab’s plan, but Jehoshaphat was suspicious. He knew it was dangerous to trust men whose allegiance was to the throne rather than the LORD, and wanted to hear from a proven servant of the LORD.
King Ahab was willing to surround himself with a bunch of “yes” men, people who went along with whatever he said and only told him what he wanted to hear. Jehoshaphat cared more about what the Lord truly had to say, and insisted on inquiring the LORD, even if it was a hard truth. Jehoshaphat cared more about God’s Word and its truthfulness to guide him, while Ahab surrounded himself with people who tickled his ears.
Reflection Questions:
Jehoshaphat sought out a messenger known for faithfulness rather than flattery. What kind of people do you surround yourself with? Are they pushing you to grow in the Lord and face hard truths, or only ever tell you what you want to hear?
For additional study, read Proverbs 11:14; 27:6, 17; 28:23; and 29:5. What do these verses have to say about the kind of people we surround ourselves with?
Not only should we surround ourselves with truth-seekers and be able to receive hard truths, we need to be able to deliver that to others. When giving advice/counsel to others, are you more of a flatterer or faithful mouthpiece for God? When friends come to you for advice, whose approval do you tend to seek?
Despite hearing the truth from Micaiah the destruction of going to battle will have, Jehoshaphat still goes to battle, which almost costs him his life. What did Jehoshaphat do well in this story that we should imitate, and what did he do wrong? What does this story teach us about God’s mercy?