Israel #7 Ahab continued. 1 Kings 16:22-22:40. Reigned 22 years.

1Kings 20 The two Aramean (Syrian) battles. You cn read about these two battles. Even though Ahab was evil, God did not want the arrogant Arameans destroying Israel at this time. They blasphemed when they said that the God of Israel was a god of the mountains (the first attack by Benhadad kiing of Syria with 31 generals) but not a god of the plains (the 2nd attack by Benhadad). Both battles they were defeated soundly, killing 127,000 Arameans in the 2nd battle). But Ahab for some reason felt like Benhadad was a “brother” and let him go free instead of killing him. In return, Benhadad returned cities in Israel that he had captured. Then a prophet gave an object lesson. He told a fellow prophet to strike him but he didn’t, so he told him that a lion would kill him, and that happened. He then told another prophet to strike him, which he did. The prophet then told Ahab that he should have killed Benhadad when he had the chance like God had told him to do. Ahab would be punished for not obeying. Ahab went to his house in Samaria, sullen and vexed. Life Lesson: Don’t play politics with God’s word. If the word of God is obvious, then obey it. We have a serious issue with the LGBTQ in the country and even in the church. Don’t try to be “buddies” and compromise the truth with LGBTQ advocates. Don’t let them “escape” without being shown in love the clear Biblical commands on homosexuality.

1 Kings 21 Ahab covets Naboth’s vineyard. Ahab tried to buy Naboth’s vineyard but he didn’t want to sell it. Ahab went to his house “sullen and vexed” (again as in 1 Kings 20:43) and quits eating!. Ahab pouts a lot and gets angry when he doesn’t get his way! So Jezebel arranged false witnesses who said Naboth had blasphemed God and they stoned Naboth to death. Ahab got Naboth’s vineyard after all. Elijah told Ahab that the dogs would lick his blood at the same place they licked Naboth’s blood. He also predicted that the dogs would “eat” Jezebel in Jezreel. Ahab was evil but mainly b/c because Jezebel his wife incited him. So Ahab fasted despondently but apparently humbled himself for God to delay his punishment and put it on his son. 1

1 Kings 22 The 3rd Aramean battle 3 years after the 2nd one. Ahab persuaded King Jehoshaphat (son of King Asa) of Judah to go to battle with him with the Arameans at Ramoth-Gilead. Ahab’s 400 false prophets told him that he would be victorious in the battle. Jehosphaphat required that a true prophet of Yahweh be consulted. Micaiah at first mockingly went along with the false prophet’s prediction and said Ahab would be victorious, but Ahab knew was just mocking the false prophets. Kinda like Micaiah saying in a sacrastic voice, “Sure you just go on into battle and be victorious. You just go right ahead.” Ahab knew he was not really saying what God had told him to say. Micaiah then said that Ahab would be killed in the battle. Micaiah then said that it was deceiving spirits in the false prophets who predicted victory. So Ahab and Jehoshaphat went to battle. I don’t understand why Jehoshaphat asked for a true prophet who predicted defeat in the battle but then he went ahead with Ahab into the battle. AI suggests: “Jehoshaphat had already formed a close bond with the northern kingdom of Israel through a political alliance and a royal marriage (his son Jehoram married Ahab’s daughter Athaliah). Having already pledged his support to Ahab before consulting any prophets, he felt he could not back out without causing a major diplomatic rift. Jehoshaphat was generally known as a God-fearing king of Judah, but his weakness lay in making ungodly alliances with the wicked kings of Israel. In this moment, his desire to please Ahab, maintain solidarity, and avoid conflict with his neighbor outweighed his caution regarding Micaiah’s prophecy. Jehoshaphat even goes along with Ahab’s suggestion that Ahab disguise himself as a regular soldier and Jehosphaphat wear kingly robes, hoping to avoid Micaiah’s prediction that he would did in the battle. But God intervened and spared Jehoshaphat. A God-guided, random arrow pierced Ahab’s armor, mortally wounding him. He died that evening and the dogs licked his blood in Samaria.

Judah #4 Jehoshaphat. 1 Kings 22:41-50 Reigned 25 years. He began to reign back in the 4th year of Ahab’s 22 year reign so this is one of those “catching up” of kings from the southern kingdom who began their reigns during Ahab’s reign before the author goes on to give the events of the next king of Israel after Ahab. Overall Jehoshaphat was a righteous king excess for his alliance with Ahab.

Israel #8 Ahaziah. 1 Kings 22:40 – 2 Kings 1:18. Reigned 2 years. Served Baal. Ahaziah fell and was injured. He sent messengers to inquire off Baal-Zebub as to whether he would recover or not. Elijah then told him that he would not recover.

Elijah Miracle #6: 2 groups of 50 men killed with fire. Ahaziah sent 3 captains each with 50 money to arrest or kill Elijah, but the first two groups were consumed by fire from God. The 3rd captain begged for him and his men to be spared: “Hey, I’m just the messenger!” Jehoram (not a son of Ahaziah) will become king after Ahaziah died.

2 Kings 2 Elijah ascends and Elisha takes his place. Elijah had already anointed Elisha as his successor and Elisha was sticking close to him before he ascends. I don’t know if Elisha was expecting Elijah to ascend like he did.

Elijah Miracle #7 Dividing of the Jordan. They both crossed over the Jordan. Elisha asked Elijah for a double portion of Elijah’s miraculous powers. Many say that Elijah did 14 miracles and Elisha did 28, but by my count Elijah did 7 miracles and Elisha did 14. Elijah’s mantle fell to him as Elijah ascended on a chariot of fire and horses of fire. The next time we will see Elijah is when he appears on the Mt of Transfiguration with Jesus (Matthew 17).

1 Kings 2 Elisha’s miracles begin.