Second Chronicles 18 Commentary
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This story is pasted from the Book of Kings word for word. It appears here because of the presence of King Jehoshaphat in Samaria. But, what is good king Jehoshaphat doing in Samaria, having fellowship with the ungodly Ahab, king of the apostate kingdom of Israel?
Well, King Jehoshaphat had sought an alliance with Ahab. So Jehoshaphat is on a state visit to Samaria. We shall focus on Jehoshaphat’s decisions.
In a bid to consolidate his own position against the wicked king of Israel, Jehoshaphat decides to ally himself with Israel. It is a decision made in bad faith. What is he thinking of the LORD his deliverer? Is an alliance with the wicked part of the tools that Heaven has approved? Regardless, Jehoshaphat goes ahead to strengthen this alliance by marriage.
Out of every open and conscious decision are several hidden and unconscious decisions. One of these hidden and unconscious decisions is one to import wickedness into Jehoshaphat’s own family from King Ahab’s wicked family. Another one is the invitation to more fellowship with wickedness. The latter presents us with yet another important point of decision for Jehoshaphat.
Should he join a war that he definitely knows the LORD hasn’t sanctioned?
Jehoshaphat does what every saint under these circumstances would do. Let’s consult the LORD. The wicked Ahab does what he always does: consult the false prophets. Jehoshaphat isn’t impressed – like he hadn’t expected it. So the prophet of the LORD is brought in and the answer is negative. Let there be no war.
But why did Jehoshaphat even ask for the word of the LORD if he was not even ready to obey it? Anyhow, the two kings get involved in the battle, and Ahab is killed, exactly as the LORD had put it through the prophet Micaiah.
What does the saint get from all this?
Never get yoked with the wicked. If by the wickedness of heart you do, don’t get into fellowship. It is always during these fellowships that temptations arise. And saints should always pray not to be led into temptations. If again by the weakness of reason you find yourself on the same table with wickedness, don’t consult the LORD when you already know what the LORD’s position is. If again by the weakness of reason you find yourself in a mess, PLEASE, DO CALL OUT TO THE LORD FOR HELP.
See how Jehoshaphat’s poor and sinful decisions have made him indistinguishable. The enemy thinks he is Ahab. Cry out to the LORD and may the world see that you are not Ahab.
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