2 Kings 9-10

2 Kings 9-10

Scripture Thought (What I Learned):

Chapter 9: Jezebel Slain and Eaten by Dogs

                Elisha calls one of the children of the prophets and tells him to take a box of oil and go to Ramoth-gilead, there he is commanded to take a man into an inner chamber and anoint him king.. So the man goes and meet Jehu and tells him that he has some business with him. The young prophet anoints Jehu and commands him to take over the house of his master Ahab, that they might avenge the death of all the prophets at the hand of Jezebel. For the house of Ahab shall be smitten and be like unto the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat. Jezebel shall be eaten by dogs and no one will bury her. After telling Jehu all of this the young prophet left. Jehu is then asked by his men if everything is ok. Jehu tells them what has happened and all the men blew trumpets announcing that Jehu was

Chapter 10: Ahab's 70 Sons Are Slain

                Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. Jehu wrote and sent letters to Samaria to the rulers of Jezreel and the elders. His later stated something to the affect of: "When this letter reaches you take your masters sons and their chariots and horses and your fortified city and place your most qualified of your sons to sit on his father's thrown." Jehu was trying to incite violence. Jehu then wrote another letter telling the leaders to kill the 70 sons of Ahab and cut their heads off. The leaders then sent Jehu the heads of the 70 sons in baskets.

                Jehu then departed and headed towards Samaria. On his way their he stopped to meet the brothers of Ahaziah the king of Judah. Jehu then orders for their execution and kills 42 men, leaving none of them alive. Jehu then left to meet Jehonadab the son of Rechab asking him if his heart was right. Jehonadab responded that his heart was right and left with Jehu in his chariot to go to Samaria to kill all that remained of Ahab and his household.

                Jehu gathered all the people together and told them that Ahab served Baal a little, but Jehu will serve him more. So he called for all the prophets of Baal and his servants and priests to come to perform a huge sacrifice for Baal. So all the people from all over the land came to the temple of Baal to witness this great sacrifice. Once all the worshippers of Baal where in the temple he had 80 men waiting outside to kill all of them and not let one out. After the killing began, most of the worshippers gathered near the center of the temple... then Jehu caused that the building should collapse in on itself and be burned... thus ending the worship of Baal throughout all of Israel. Jehu, even after doing the will of the Lord was still sinning. Jehu reigns and his family until the fourth generation.

                Because of the wickedness of parts of Israel, the Lord made other parts of Israel that were enemies to Israel successful that they started to gain victory over many pieces of land. Jehu dies and his buried in Samaria. Jehoahaz his son, reigned in his place and the period that Jehu reigned for over Israel was 28 years.

2 Kings 7-8

2 Kings 7-8

Scripture Thought (What I Learned):

Chapter 7: Israel Takes Spoil

                After the great besiegement of Samaria the King of Israel was angered toward God. However God made a promise through Elisha that the economic situation in Samaria would be cured within 24 hours and that the price of food would plummet. One of the officers of the king was doubtful and asked how could such a thing be done, implying that it in fact could not happen. So Elisha told him that he would see the great miracle but not partake or participate in the greatness of it.

                During this time a group of lepers were sitting at the gates of the city pondering over the situation... if they thought, food does come... they would surely be the last to recieve it. So they decided instead of sitting and waiting to die of hunger that they would go and surrender to the Syrians who had been surrounding the city for months. When the lepers arrrived at the outskirts of the town, to their surprise they found a Syrian camp, full stocked with materials and food... but no men. So the Lepers take advantage of the situation and they eat and drink. But not only that, they also find gold and clothing, which they carry out of the camp to go and hide. But after some time they realize that something bad would befall them if they did not use these supplies to help out the rest of the city. So they decide to go and speak to the household of the king. With this information the King decides to send people to the camp to see what is going on. He thinks however that it is a trick to get the people to come to them and then get captured alive. But the men he sends come back with a different report. After following the trail of the Syrians the servants of the king realize that the Syrians left in haste and threw out all their provisions along side the road as they fled.

                So the people go and plunder the tents of the Syrians, therefore validating the prophecy made by Elisha that the problems (economic) would be solved within 24 hours. The officer who had doubted the words of Elisha was charged with opening the gate at the city, where the excited and desperate people fled the city to get provisions... trampling the man to death. So we see that the man learned of the miracle, but never had the chance to participate in the miracle.

Chapter 8: Elisha Prophesies a Seven Year Famine

                The woman, to whom Elisha restored life back into her son is around the area Elisha is and he tells her to go and stay wherever she can, because the Lord has called for a famine and it will stay for seven years. She goes to the king and asks for a repeal of her land that was taken away. The interesting part is that the woman came to make this request at the same time Gehazi was telling the king about all the great miracles of Elisha. Jehoram tells her that she can have all her land and everything that came from it back. This was very different from his father Ahab, who was a land grabbing control freak.

                Elisha then went down to Damascus, where Ben-Hadad the king of Syria was sick. So he sends a messeger (Hazael, who is a high official to the king) to Elisha asking him if he would be cured of his sickness.

                Elisha tells Hazael to tell the king, that he shall recover.  But in reality he will die (but after he is cured from the illness). Elisha just stares and him and cries, So Hazael asks Elisha why he is crying. Elisha explains he will cause evil will befall Israel, that the strongholds will be burned, young men will kill with the sword and that he will dash the children and kill pregnant women.

                Hazael then departed from Elisha and came to his master (the King of Syria). The king of Syria asked him if he would recover and Hazael told him that he would. But, the next day, Hazael puts a thick cloth (dipped in water) and puts it over the kings face, suffocating him and causing him to die.

                Jehoram, the song of Jehoshaphat began to reign as king over all Judah. (this is a continued story from 1 kings 22:50 and is not to be confused with the Jehoram of 2 Kings 3 who is called "Joram" in these next passages. Jehoram walked in the ways of all the kings of Israel, that is in wickedness and evil. The evil was so great that the Lord could destroy Judah, but for the sake of his ancestor, David and the promise that God made to him, the Lord did not destroy Judah. Edom revolted against this king and caused many problems. So Ahaziah reigns over Judah (the son of Jehoram) began to reign and he too walked in the ways of Ahab. They caused war against Hazael the king of Syria.

2 Kings 5-6

2 Kings 5-6

Scripture Thought (What I Learned):

Chapter 5: Naaman Washes in the Jordan River

                Naaman was the commander of the army of the king of Syria and was a great and honorable man in the eyes of his master. Through the Lord he had given him victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of courage, but he was also a leper.

                Naaman is sent to see the king of Israel to be cured of his disease and the king of Israel says; "...Am I god, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of leprosy?" (2 Kings 5:7). So Elisha hears about how the king reacted and tells Naaman to go to wash in the river Jordan seven times and then Naaman shall be clean. However, Naaman was outraged, of bathing in the Jordan River (because of its filthiness) and huffed off in a rage. But his servants told him that if a prophet of God had told him something, he better do it. So Naaman did as Elisha had told him and he became clean again.

                Naaman goes to Elisha to thank him and tells him that he knows now that Elisha is a prophet of God. Naaman offers him a "blessing" or essentially cash for his help. Elisha responds; "...I will receive none...." (2 Kings 2:16) and he refused to take the money. One thing that we can learn here is that the things of God cannot be purchased. The LDS Church (or as more commonly known to the world as "mormons") do not have a paid clergy. Everyone that works in the local church are all volunteer. The tithing in the church is used to pay for buildings, supplies etc... but not to pay someone's salary. This is important. We can also learn that people are not use the power to heal to make money.

                A servant to Elisha, Gehazi however believed that Elisha deserved something. So Gehazi catches up to Naaman as he is leaving and Naaman turns around and stops his chariot and asks him if everything is well and right there Gehazi basically asks Naaman for money and Naaman gives him 2 talents of silver and a change of clothes. Well when Gehazi comes back, he hides the money from Elisha (because he knew it was wrong) and later is asked by Elisha where he went. Gehazi responds that he hadn't been anywhere. So Elisha asks him if his heart was with him, and if it was time to recieve all of those worldly things, because with them will come the wrath and curse of God. Elisha tells him that he shall recieve the leprosy that Naaman had, and Gehazi left Elisha's presence as white as snow... having contracted Leprosy.

                We can learn a lot from this story... greed will get us no where. Is it wrong to have money? No. Naaman had a lot of it... he was super rich, famous, and powerful. But he wasn't cursed, he was cured. But it is when we gain our money through unlawful or un-ethical ways that we are bad. God does not like greed and we will be punished if we live a life of greed.  

Chapter 6: Floating Axe

                The sons of the prophets tell Elisha that the place where they currently reside is getting a little cramped and that they want to build a new place. So they ask Elisha if it is ok to build a new place. He agrees and they go down near the rive to chop down some trees. As they were cutting trees, one man lost the iron axe head from his axe and it fell into the river.So the man freaks out a little, because the axe wasn't even his, he had borrowed it from someone else. So Elisha asks him where it feel and he cut off a stick and threw it into the water near where it had fallen, and by a miracle Elisha causes the axe head of IRON (so very heavy and dense) to float to the top of the water. How he got something so heavy and dense to float is a mystery! The man then reached out and grabbed the axe from the water.

                During this same time the King of Syria was making war with Israel and he consulted with his servants, and Elisha helped the king of Israel. The King of Syria was upset that Israel seemed to know there plans a head of time and was convinced that there was a traitor among him. Until his servants pointed out that Elisha a prophet of God was helping them.

                The Syrians however had Elisha and his servant, among other people surrounded in a city. Elisha's servant was naturally afraid and feared death. But Elisha tells those around him; "... Feat not: for they that be with us are more than they be with them." (2 Kings 6:16). Elisha prayed to God that they eyes of his servant would be opened to see a mountain full of horses, and chariots of fire (obviously spiritual help), Elisha then asked for the Syrians to be made blind and it was so.

                When they arrive at the city blind (my guess is not physically blind, but blind in the way that they are not seeing things as they are), because Elisha tells them that they need to go to Samaria to find the man they are looking for, they don't even recognize Elisha!

                So they Syrians travel to Samaria and besiege the city. In these times a siege would take place by the Syrian army blocking out all business and trade from the city until the people were starved to death or starved into compliance with their new leader. This was a easy way for an army to take over an entire city, by controling the commerce, money etc. The siege was successful, because within a short time a donkey's head or a Dove's droppings were worth so much that only the wealthy could afford them. That is how desperate people were for food! Some dove droppings towards the end of the seige cost an average worker more than one month salary. Imagine today someone paying $1,000 - $2,000 for some Dove droppings to eat!?!?

                The chapter however gets worse...  The king of Israel was passing by the city wall one day, when he heard a woman's cry for help. So the king asked her what was wrong, and the woman told him; "...This woman said unto me, Give thy son, that we may eat him today, and we will eat my son tomorrow. So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son." (2 Kings 6:28-29). This shows us how horrible the famine was, that mothers were willing to eat their own children to fight away the pangs of hunger!

                The king was super upset over what had happened and wanted to get revenge on Elisha and God. What can we learn from this? Well if we remember back to our reading, we learn that in Deuteronomy 28, God warned Israel about what would happen if they disobeyed God.

                "And he shall besiege thee in all thy gates, until thy high and fenced walls come down, wherein thou trustedst, throughout all thy land: and he shall besiege thee in all thy gates throughout all thy land, which the Lord thy God hath given thee. And thou shal eat the fruit of thine own body, the flesh of they sons and of they daughters, which the Lord thy God hath given theem in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thin enemies shall distress thee:" (Deuteronomy 28:52-53). So God had warned them about this! But they did not listen and now they are having to live with the consequences of their own actions.

2 Kings 3-4

2 Kings 3-4

Scripture Thought (What I Learned):

Chapter 3: The Moabites are Defeated

                Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria. Jehoram did wickedness in the sight of the Lord, but not like his parents... because Jehoram put away Baal and did not worship him. Instead Jehoram held onto the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat which made Israel sin.

                Mesha the king of Moab was a sheepmaster and gave the king of Israel 100,000 lambs and 100,000 rams with the wool. But after the death of Ahab, the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel. Jehoram the now king of Israel goes to the king of Judah (Jehoshaphat) and aks his help in battling against Moab. Jehoshaphat agrees and takes him army with Jehoram through the forest of Edom. As they journey they run out of water and ask for a priest among them. They find Elisha and ask him to help. He tells the kings (Israel and Judah) that they must dig trenches and the water will appear, but not by way of wind or rain... they will just appear.

                The water appears and from the Moab's point of view the water appears blood red. The Moab king makes the assumption that Israel and Judah must have killed each other and that they could now collect on the spoils. But in reality, Israel and Judah were waiting for them at their camp... they smite the Moabs and drive them into their own country where they destroy everything and cause the king of Moab to flee with 700 swordsmen.

Chapter 4: Elisha Raises a Boy from Death

                A woman in the crowd calls out to Elisha and tells him that her husband has died and that he left behind debt, that the creditors would now be coming for he children. Elisha asks the woman what she has that she could use to pay the debt. She tells Elisha that all she has was a small vessel of oil. So he tells her to borrow vessels from all of her neighbors... go into her house and start pouring the oil out from the vessel she had into the new ones. It was a miracle! She managed to fill all of the vessels and have more to come out of her original vessel. But once all the borrowed containers were full her oil ceased. Elisha then told her to take the oil and sell it to satisfy the debt.

                Elisha and his servant kept passing by a "notable woman" who begged for them to come and eat at her house. So every time they passed by her house they would stop and eat. She enjoyed them coming and asked her husband to create a small area in their house, where Elisha and his servant could rest and sleep. So they make a bed for them both. After a while Elisha tells the woman that she has spent a lot of time caring for them and asked her what they could do for her. Elisha tells the lady that she will conceive and have a son and she does have a son!

                This child grew.  When the child grew he died from what appears to be a blow to the head. He dies on the lap of his mother. Elisha however brings the child back to life through the power of the priesthood. The child turned from cold to warm and then sneezed 7 times before opening his eyes.

                Elisha returns to Gilgal, where there is a famine in the land. The sons of the prophets then ask for food and they gather herbs and gourds to create a stew. Which after creating the stew, realize that someone had put a plant that was poisonous, so they end up making something with flour in it, instead.

                Next in the chapter, Elisha does something very similiar to what Jesus did with the loaves of bread and fishes. He manages to feed a lot of people with very little food.

2 Kings 1-2

2 Kings 1-2

Scripture Thought (What I Learned):

Chapter 1: "John the Baptist" - Elijah Prophesies the Death of Ahaziah

                Moab rebelled against Israel, because of the death of Ahab. Ahaziah fell through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria and sustained injuries because of the fall. He sends messengers to Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron to find out wether or not he would recover from his injuries.

                An angel of the Lord speaks with Elijah the Tishbite and tells him to arise and go to meet the messengers of the King of Samaria and ask them if it is because they have no God in Israel that they are reaching out to a fake god of Ekron "Baal-Zebub" to find out wether or not he will recover. So Elijah tells them that he shall no recover, but shall surely die.

                After meeting with Elijah the messengers return to Ahaziah; and Ahaziah asks them why they have returned and not done as he had asked. So the messengers explained to him that a man met them and told them what would happen. So he asks the messengers to describe the man and after hearing "a hairy man with a leather belt around his waist, he knew that it was Elijah the Tishbite.

                The king then sends a captain of fifty with his fifty men to go and find Elijah. When they find him, he is sitting on the top of a hill and they speak to him, commanding the "Man of God" to come down and Elijah responds by saying that he is indeed a man of God and if he truly is, let fire come down from heaven and consume your fifty men... and FIRE came down from heaven and killed his fifty men.

                So the king sends another fifty and they ask for the man of God and the same thing happens, he responds and fire consumes them from heaven.

                So the king sends another fifty, except this time the captain comes to Elijah and humbly kneels before him and pleads with him to not kill him or his men. An angel of the Lord tells Elijah that it is safe for him to come down and he does, sparing this group of fifty men.

                Elijah delivers the exact same message he delivered to the first group of men that he had met on their journey to see Baal-Zebub, telling Ahaziah that it is because their is no God in Israel that they are going after false gods and because of this he will surely die of his injuries.

                Ahaziah dies and leaves no successor to the throne. Because he had no son, Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah becomes king.

Chapter 2: Elijah and Elisha

                The Lord was about to take Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, but Elijah said to Elisha to stay there, but Elisha tells Elijah that he will not leave him. So they both go down to Bethel and there they are met by other sons of the Prophets who tell Elisha that the Lord will take away his master (Elijah) today and Elisha responds by knowing, but asking them to keep silent about the matter.

                Elijah tells Elisha to stay as he travels to Jericho, but again Elisha refuses and goes with him to Jericho. Then the sons of the prophets tell Elisha the same thing, and he asks them to be quiet. Elijah then tells Elisha to stay, because the Lord had called him onto Jordan, but again Elisha refuses and goes to Jordan and again they tell him and he asks them to be silent.

                As they cross the river, Elijah takes his mantle, rolled it up and struck the water... causing it to be divded, so they could cross on dry ground. After crossing over, Elijah asks Elisha to ask him anything before he departs. Elisha asks for a double portion of his spirit to be upon him... Elijah thinks that he has asked for a hard thing, but tells him that if he sees him when he is taken away then it shall happen, but if he does not see him as he is being taken away... that it wouldn't happen.

                Elijah and Elisha are walking along talking when suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, that seperated the two of them and Elijah went up in a whirlwind of heaven. Elisha took hold of his own clothes and rent them into two pieces and took the mantel of Elijah and stood by the bank of Jordan.

                Elisha begins his ministry as the prophet. He takes the mantle of Elijah and stuck the water causing the river to be divided. Once the people from Jericho saw this, they came to meet him and bowed before him saying that the spirit of Elijah rested upon him.

                The sons of the prophets come out and ask for a search party to find Elijah thinking that the chariots of fire might have taken him to some other part of Israel. Elisha knew that this mission would be futile and when they come back without finding their master, he tells them... did I not say to "not go".

                The men of the city go to Elisha and ask him to heal the water source. He asks for a bowl of salt, which he pours into the river and tells them that the water source would be healed.

                Elisha then left and went to Bethel, and as he was walking along the road, the youths from the city came out an mocked him, calling him "baldhead", he turned around and pronoucned a curse upon them in the name of the Lord which caused to female bears of the forest to come out and mauled forty two of the youths. Then he went to Mount Carmel and from there he returned to Samaria.

Summary of 1 Kings

Summary of 1 Kings

Scripture Thought (What I Learned):

1 Kings 1-2: Adonijah Fails to Be King/Solomon; King of Israel
1 Kings 3-4:  Solomon's Judgment/Solomon Reigns with Wisdom
1 Kings 5-6:  Stones and Timber for the Temple/Solomon Builds the Temple
1 Kings 7-8:  Solomon Builds Himself a House/The Ark of the Temple
1 Kings 9-10:  Promises of Blessings/Queen of Sheba Visits King Solomon
1 Kings 11-12:  Solomon Worships False Gods/The 10 Tribes Revolt
1 Kings 13-14:  Jeroboam is Healed by a Prophet from Judah/Prophecy of Ahijah and Jeroboam
1 Kings 15-16:  Abijam Reigns in Wickedness/Elah, Zimi, Omri and Ahas Reign in Wickedness
1 Kings 17-18:  Elijah Raises a Little Child from Death/Elijah Challenges the Prophets of Baal
1 Kings 19-20:  A Still Small Voice/Ben-hadad Makes War with Israel
1 Kings 21-22: Ahab Kills Naboth for His Vineyard/Micaiah Foretells the Death of Ahab

Summary:

                The book of 1st Kings is Narrative History and Prophecy. The author is anonymous; whoever, some suggest the prophet Jeremiah had his hand in writting the book. It was written about 560-538 B.C. The people mentioned most are David, Solomon, Rehoboam, Elijah, Ahab and Jezebel.

                If you had to catagorize and figure out what 1 Kings is teaching, I would say that the purpose is to learn and contrast between those who obey and those who disobey God, and the consequences good and bad that follow that decision. The book describes the rule of Solomon as the last king of Israel and then the dividing of the kingdom after his death. It includes a great prayer to the Lord in chapter 8. The writer of the books of the Kings describes the events of the Northern and Southern kingdoms after the division.

                In chapters 1-11: Solomon becomes kings, through violent means. After his father David dies, David instructs Solomon to "walk in His (God's) ways" (1st Kings 2:3). Solomon asks God for wisdom an God is pleased at this request and approves. Solomon begins a building, which includes the construction of the the Temple, which his father desired and prepared him to do. He began building the Temple 480 years after the Exodus from Egypt started. Seven years later, the Ark was brought to the temple, and the Glory of the Lord descended upon it, Solomon prays a powerful prayer and then offers sacrifices to the Lord. Solomon, although the wisest king ever, starts to do things that are not so wise and begins to worship false gods of his wives and is subdued by his lust for women, his downfall was looming and his death followed shortly after.

                In chapters 12-22: show the beginning of the end of the united kingdom of Israel, the nation, with difficult decisions, ends up making the wrong decision. Around 931 B.C. the kingdom splits in two: North and South. Rehoboam inherits the kingdom and is persistent about enforcing high taxes. The Northern tribes begin a revolt and Jeroboam is crowned king of Israel. Ten tribes became the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin became the Southern Kingdom of Judah. God raises up his prophet Elijah to warn the evil king Ahab to turn from idol worship and to return to God.

1 Kings 21-22

1 Kings 21-22

Scripture Thought (What I Learned):

Chapter 21: Ahab Kills Naboth for His Vineyard

                Ahab goes to Naboth and asks him for his vineyard. He wants his vineyard, because it is close to his house and he wants a garden of herbs close to his house. In trade he promises to give him a vineyard that is better or give him money for the piece of land. However Naboth tells him that he cannot do that, because it is his inheritance and he cannot simply give away his inheritance for something else. Ahab is upset by this and goes to his house and essentially from the text it sounds like he is crying on his bed. (see verse 4).

                Jezebel comes into Ahab and asks him why is spirit is drained (I can imagine that his eyes are all puffed up from crying), and Ahab explains the situation. Jezebel then tells Ahab that he is over all of Israel and that this should not stop him from getting what he wants. So Jezebel tells him to eat, drink and be merry and that she would get him his land. So Jezebel writes letters in Ahab's hand telling the Elders that Naboth had blasphemed God and the king and that he must be stoned to death.

                The Elders take heed to the request and send two men, who were children of Belial and they witnessed against him and carried him out of the city to be stoned to death. Jezebel recieved word of the death and she told Ahab to arise and go take possession of the land that Naboth would not give to him for money or trade and he arose and went down to the vineyard to take possession of it.

                The Lord goes to Elijah and tells him what Ahab has done and commands him to go down to the vineyard and meet Ahab, there is commanded to tell Ahab of the curse that will be put on him and his wife for working iniquity and evil before the Lord. Ahab and Jezebel will be killed and eaten by dogs in the same place that Naboth was stoned to death. When Ahab hears about this, he rents him clothes and humbles himself before the Lord. The Lord then tells Elijah that because Ahab humbled himself, that he will not cause anything to happen to him, but to happen to his house later on.

Chapter 22: Micaiah Foretells the Death of Ahab

                Three years had passed without any war between Syria and Israel.  In the third year the king of Judah, Jehoshaphat went down to visit the king of Israel. While there, the King of Israel tells Jehosophat that Ramoth in Gilead is theirs, but they are hesitant to take it out of the hands of the King of Syria, so he aks the king of Judah (Jehosophat) for his help. Jehosophat tells him that his people and horses are as his. Kind of like the "mi casa es tu casa" saying. Jehosophat is ok with helping Ahab, but he suggests that they first consult God in the matter. Ahab asks his men and they all tell him to go up to take Ramoth Gilead, because the Lord will deliver it in to his hands. It seems that Jehosophat is not comfortable with that, and asks if there is anyone else that they can ask to get a second opinion. Ahab tells him that there is someone, but he hates him...

because the prophet named Micaiah always says evil things of him.

                But Ahab calls his officer to brink Micaiah the son of Imlah in unto them. While waiting for him to come, both Ahab and Jehosophat are waiting in the entrance of the city and all around them they hear people telling them to go to Ramoth Gilead and fight!

                Micaiah arrives... and is asked wether or not they should go to battle against and take Ramoth Gilead. Micaiah tells him the same thing as the rest of the prophets... to go to Ramoth Gilead, because the Lord will deliver it into his hands. But Ahab aks him if he is telling the truth...

                So, Micaiah tells of the true prophecy; "...I saw all of Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep wthat have not a shepherd: and the Lord said, These have not master let them return every man to his house in peace." (1 Kings 22:17).

                This must of angered Ahab, because he turns to Jehosophat and says; (I am paraphrasing) "See, I told you he never will say anything good about me!" Micaiah explains that the other 400 prophets were decieved by a lying spirit who told them things, so that Ahab would go up to battle, fight and die.

                Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah was upset and struck Micaiah on the cheek and Ahab commanded that he was to be put into prison. But as an ultimate call of warning, he tells them that they will understand his prophecy once they are backed up into an inner chamber (cave) to hide themselves.

                Ahab goes to battle and disguises himself, but tells Jehosophat to put on his robes. Ahab must have thought that by being disquised he would not be a huge target as the king, thus thwarting the doom that was prophesied of himself.

                The King of Syria tells all his men to only fight with the king of Israel, once they see Jehosophat with the robes, they immediately pursue after him, but once he screamed and ran, they realized that he was not the king of Israel. However, out of chance a random arrow from a bow struck Ahab inbetween the joints of his armor, and he was propped up in the back of his chariot... dying a brave man to keep the spirits of his men high. When the battle was over, everyone found out that Ahab was dead.

                Ahab was brought to Samaria and buried there. When they took the chariot back and washed the blood from it, the dogs licked up his blood.

                Jehosophat became king when he was 35 years old. His mother was Azubah and his father was Asa. Jehosophat reigned over Judah with righteousness.

                Here are a few of the accomplishments of Jehosophat;

·         He sent teachers of God’s Word out to all his kingdom (2 Chronicles 17:7-9).

·         He established a permanent military garrison along the northern frontier (2 Chronicles 17:1-2, 12).

·         He trained and equipping a sizeable army (2 Chronicles 17:14-19) that was able to quell a Transjordan invasion (2 Chronicles 20:1-30).

·         He placed Edom under Judean control, controlling an important caravan route to the south (2 Kings 3:8-27; 2 Chronicles 20:36).

·         God blessed his reign so much that the fear of the LORD came upon neighboring nations so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 17:10).

·         Jehoshaphat was also an able administrator, implementing judicial reforms (2 Chronicles 19:5-11) and religious reforms (2 Chronciles 17:3-9).

·        Jehoshaphat was also the king connected to the famous incident when the army of Judah saw a great victory won as the Levites led the battle with praise (2 Chronicles 20:15-23).

                Ahaziah the son of Ahab became king over Israel in Samaria in the 17th years of the reign of Jehosophat in Judah. Ahaziah reigned for two years and did much evil in the sight of the Lord. He served Baal and worshiped him, provoking God to anger.