This chapter parallels 1 Ki 22 and recounts King Ahab (of Israel) and King Jehoshaphat (of Judah) waging war against the Syrians, despite the prophesy of Micaiah.
“And [Ahab] said to Jehoshaphat, ‘I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your robes.’ As soon as the captains of the [Syrian] chariots saw Jehoshaphat… they turned to fight against him. And Jehoshaphat cried out, and the Lord helped him… as soon as the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him. But a certain man drew his bow at random and struck [Ahab] between the scale armor and the breastplate… Then at sunset [Ahab] died.”
Ahab, being the wicked and cowardly man that he was hoped King Jehoshaphat would be his decoy and be killed in his place, yet God’s prophesy would not be thwarted by such a simple trick. Ahab was killed anyway, and God delivered Jehoshaphat from harm. There are many scriptural accounts of God delivering righteous people from grave circumstances, and this record of Jehoshaphat is one such instance.
God does not always deliver the righteous from physical harm (as He did in this instance). We have all sinned (Rm 3:23) and will all experience a physical death in this world (even a sinless Jesus died a physical death). Yet, God does promise to deliver us from a ‘second death’, which is an eternal separation from Him (see 2 Th 1:5-12, 1 Pt 3:17-22). We are delivered from this ‘second death’ through Jesus’ death on the cross, through our confession of sin, and our declaration that Jesus is our Lord (Jn 3:16, Rm 10:9).
I encourage us to celebrate our salvation from a second death, and spread the good news to our friends, family, and neighbors. In this continued period of global strife people need a message of hope and joy, and Jesus is that message. Let’s spread the Word so others may also experience deliverance from a second death.
Father God, our Gracious and Merciful Lord, we praise Your holy name. You sent Jesus to pay the penalty for our sin, and we have been delivered from from a ‘second death’ thanks to Him. Father please embolden us to spread this joyful news, so You may deliver others from a second death as well. All honor, glory and praise be unto You, forever and ever, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training