2 Chronicles 17-18

2 Chronicles 17-18

Scripture Thought (What I Learned):

Chapter 17: The Book of the Law of God

                Jehoshaphat reigned and strengthened himself against Israel. He fortified and placed troops in the cities of Judah, and Ephraim and walked in the ways of the Lord. Jehoshaphat continues in the ways of the Lord is is greatly blessed for this, he takes down the high places and the images from Judah.

                In the 3^rd year of his reign he sends leaders; Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah.  Accompanying the teachers were some Levites; Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah. With the Levites were; Elishama, and Jehoram, who were priests. They went throughout the cities, teaching from the Book of the Law of God. The fear of the Lord spread throughout the land.

                The Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute, the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand seven hundred rams, and seven thousand seven hundred male goats. Jehoshaphat becaming increasingly more and more powerful by the day. Jehoshaphat continued to build his presence and fortified his cities. His army was comprised of valiant honorable men.

The captains and there men:

Adnah: 300,000 men.

Jehohanan: 280,000 men.

Benjamin: Eliada: 200,000 men.

Jehozabad: 180,000 men.

Among  these men, was; Amasiah the son of Zichri, who offered himself up to the Lord.

Chapter 18: Ahab’s False Prophets

                Jehoshaphat had riches and honor, but by and through marriage he allied himself with Ahab. A few years go by and he goes to visit Ahab in Samaria, Ahab for his guest kills sheep and oxen in abundance , and persuaded Jehoshaphat to go up with him to Ramoth Gilead.  So Jehoshaphat and his people agree to go up with Ahab to fight against Ramoth Gilead.

                The prophets and seers tell them both that the Lord will help them until the Syrians are gone. Michaiah, the prophet, tells the king that the Lord will help them prosper. He sees in a vision that all of Israel is scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. Micaiah prophesied evil against Ahab, and Ahab was not happy.

“… Therefore hear the word of the Lord; I saw theLord sitting upon his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left. And the Lord said, Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? And one spake saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner.  Then there came out a spirit, and stood before the Lord, and said, I will entice him. And the Lord said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And the Lord said, Thou shalt entice him, and thou shalt also prevail: go out, and do even so. Now therefore, behold, the Lord hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets, and the Lord hath spoken evil against thee.” (2 Chronicles 18-22)

                So, Ahab was deceived by the prophets. In reality going to Ramoth Gilead would mean his death. Micaiah is thrown in prison because Ahab was upset by his harsh, yet true words. The King of Israel and Jehoshaphat go up to Ramoth Gilead. Ahab goes into battle dressed as a soldier and not as a king, but Jehoshaphat agrees to go into battle as a king.

                Well some time into the battle, they recognize that the king is there and go to attack. Upon surrounding Jehoshaphat they go to kill him, but because he turned to the Lord, they were thwarted and left his presence. But Ahab, was struck through the weak parts of his arm and is killed at the time the sun was setting, this was done at random as he was no special target. Micaiah was right.