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1 Kings 22:1-53 open_in_new
The final movement in the downfall of Ahab is here chronicled. Jehoshaphat visited Ahab, who suggested the alliance against the king of Syria. Jehoshaphat suggested an appeal to Jehovah. Ahab produced certain prophets of his own. Jehoshaphat sought a true prophet of the Lord and found Micaiah, who predicted the king's defeat. Evidently in the heart of Ahab there was a suspicion that, much as he hated him, Micaiah was right. By a mean and cowardly act he put Jehoshaphat in the conspicuous place of the battle. An arrow, however, shot at a venture, found its true mark, and Ahab was slain. Thus ended the personal career of the worst man who ever occupied the throne of the chosen people.
The last verses of this book are not in strict chronological order, for the story of Jehoshaphat is resumed in the next book. They serve, however, to give us a general view of Judah and Israel. Jehoshaphat reigned over the former. In all the main set of his government he followed in the footsteps of his father Asa, doing that which was right in the sight of the Lord. But, like his father, he failed in the completeness of his reform by allowing the high places to remain.
Following Ahab in Israel came Ahaziah, who continued in all the evil ways of his father and mother. He was by no means as strong as Ahab, but gave himself wholly to the most abominable idolatry by serving and worshiping Baal.