2 Chronicles 17-18 A Good King Who Didn't Listen

“Jehoshaphat, Asa’s son, became king of Judah … The Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he lived as his ancestor David had lived when he first became king … He obeyed God’s commands … He wanted very much to obey the Lord … Jehoshaphat sent his officers to teach in the towns of Judah … They took the Book of the Teachings of the Lord and went through all the towns of Judah and taught the people.”

Again, a good start.  But according to my commentary, he made three costly compromises:  He married his son to Ahab’s daughter, he went to battle with Ahab, and he foolishly joined with Ahab’s son, trying to get rich by importing foreign goods.

Jehoshaphat was disobeying God.  “He should have never allowed the Davidic line to mingle with that of Ahab … If Jehoshaphat had died, then his son would have taken the throne and Ahab’s daughter would have been the Jezebel of Judah,” my commentary said.  Ahab could have then united the two thrones.  “But God is sovereign in all things and protected Jehoshaphat, while at the same time allowing a random arrow to hit an opening in Ahab’s armor and kill him.”

Jehoshaphat had wisely asked for a prophet of the Lord, but then did not follow what that prophet said!  He also allowed Ahab to make him a target in the battle – the only one wearing royal clothes!

The prophet Micaiah even told Ahab that a deceiving spirit had been sent to him.  My commentary says, “God deals with people on the basis of their character.  ‘With the pure You will show Yourself pure; and with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd (Ps. 18:26).”  God warned Ahab, and by not listening, he lost his life.

Father, I want my character to reflect You and Your Son.  Please help me to be pure in character.  Show me anything within me that doesn’t reflect You, and change me to be more like You.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford