5/23

1 Kings 22:8

⁸And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD, Micaiah the son of Imlah, but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but evil."窶、nd Jehoshaphat said, "Let not the king say so."

Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, came up to join with Ahab, king of Israel, to fight against their common enemy. False prophets came before them and told them they would be victorious. One of them even made iron horns and as a symbol of the power of Israel and Judah pushing back the enemy. But Jehoshaphat wanted to hear from a prophet of the LORD.

Jehoshaphat asked if there was a prophet of the LORD. Ahab told him that there was, but he hated him because he always prophesied bad things were going to happen to Ahab. Now remember, Ahab had repented in the previous chapter. His long life of sin was catching up with him. Old habits and attitudes are hard to break. Ahab didn't really want the truth so that he could obey. Even godly Jehoshaphat was not going to listen and change the plan. Their minds were made up.

They called for the prophet Micaiah. At first he prophesied victory. Ahab knew something was not right, so he demanded that Micaiah tell the truth. Micaiah prophesied Ahab's death. Ahab tried to thwart the prophecy by dressing as a common soldier, but a random arrow struck him between his armor and he died according to the word of the LORD.

Remember: Repentance should include a change in direction and a sensitivity of heart to obey the word of the LORD. When we come to the LORD, we must come with a willingness to heed His word.