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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [First Kings, Chapter XXII].</TITLE>
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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<h3><a href="http://www.biblesnet.com" target="_blank">Back to Biblesnet.com Home Page</a>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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[<A HREF="MHC11021.HTM">Previous</A>]
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<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>F I R S T K I N G S</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XXII.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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This chapter finishes the history of Ahab's reign. It was promised in
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the close of the foregoing chapter that the ruin of his house should
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not come in his days, but his days were soon at an end. His war with
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the Syrians at Ramoth-Gilead is that which we have an account of in
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this chapter.
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I. His preparations for that war. He consulted,
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1. His privy-council,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:1-3">ver. 1-3</A>.
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2. Jehoshaphat,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:4">ver. 4</A>.
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3. His prophets.
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(1.) His own, who encouraged him to go on this expedition
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:5,6">ver. 5, 6</A>),
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Zedekiah particularly,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:11,12">ver. 11, 12</A>.
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(2.) A prophet of the Lord, Micaiah, who was desired to come by
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Jehoshaphat
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:7,8">ver. 7, 8</A>),
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sent for
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:9-14">ver. 9, 10-13, 14</A>),
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upbraided Ahab with his confidence in the false prophets
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:15">v. 15</A>),
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but foretold his fall in this expedition
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:16-18">ver. 16-18</A>),
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and gave him an account how he came to be thus imposed upon by his
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prophets,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:19-23">ver. 19-23</A>.
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He is abused by Zedekiah
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:24,25">ver. 24, 25</A>),
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and imprisoned by Ahab,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:26-28">ver. 26-28</A>.
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II. The battle itself, in which,
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1. Jehoshaphat is exposed. But,
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2. Ahab is slain,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:29-40">ver. 29-40</A>.
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In the close of the chapter we have a short account,
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(1.) Of the good reign of Jehoshaphat king of Judah,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:41-50">ver. 41-50</A>.
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(2.) Of the wicked reign of Ahaziah king of Israel,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:51-53">ver. 51-53</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="1Ki22_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki22_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki22_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki22_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki22_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki22_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki22_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki22_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki22_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki22_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki22_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki22_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki22_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki22_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Jehoshaphat's League with Ahab.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 897.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And they continued three years without war between Syria and
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Israel.
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2 And it came to pass in the third year, that Jehoshaphat the
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king of Judah came down to the king of Israel.
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3 And the king of Israel said unto his servants, Know ye that
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Ramoth in Gilead <I>is</I> ours, and we <I>be</I> still, <I>and</I> take it not
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out of the hand of the king of Syria?
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4 And he said unto Jehoshaphat, Wilt thou go with me to battle
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to Ramoth-gilead? And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, I
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<I>am</I> as thou <I>art,</I> my people as thy people, my horses as thy
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horses.
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5 And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray
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thee, at the word of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> to day.
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6 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about
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four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against
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Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up;
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for the Lord shall deliver <I>it</I> into the hand of the king.
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7 And Jehoshaphat said, <I>Is there</I> not here a prophet of the
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L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> besides, that we might enquire of him?
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8 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, <I>There is</I> yet
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one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the
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L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning
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me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.
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9 Then the king of Israel called an officer, and said, Hasten
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<I>hither</I> Micaiah the son of Imlah.
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10 And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat
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each on his throne, having put on their robes, in a void place in
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the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets
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prophesied before them.
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11 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron:
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and he said, Thus saith the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, With these shalt thou push the
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Syrians, until thou have consumed them.
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12 And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to
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Ramoth-gilead, and prosper: for the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> shall deliver <I>it</I> into
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the king's hand.
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13 And the messenger that was gone to call Micaiah spake unto
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him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets <I>declare</I> good
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unto the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like
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the word of one of them, and speak <I>that which is</I> good.
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14 And Micaiah said, <I>As</I> the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>
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liveth, what the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> saith
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unto me, that will I speak.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Though Ahab continued under guilt and wrath, and the dominion of the
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lusts to which he had sold himself, yet, as a reward for his
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professions of repentance and humiliation, though the time drew near
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when he should descend into battle and perish, yet we have him blessed
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with a three years' peace
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>)
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and an honourable visit made him by Jehoshaphat king of Judah,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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The Jews have a fabulous conceit, that when Ahab humbled himself for
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his sin, and lay in sackcloth, he sent for Jehoshaphat to come to him,
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to chastise him; and that he staid with him for some time, and gave him
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so many stripes every day. This is a groundless tradition. He came now,
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it is probable, to consult him about the affairs of their kingdoms. It
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is strange that so great a man as Jehoshaphat would pay so much respect
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to a kingdom revolted from the house of David, and that so good a man
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should show so much kindness to a king revolted from the worship of
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God. But, though he was a godly man, his temper was too easy, which
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betrayed him into snares and inconveniences. The Syrians durst not give
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Ahab any disturbance. But,</P>
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<P>
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I. Ahab here meditates a war against the Syrians, and advises
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concerning it with those about him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
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The king of Syria gave him the provocation; when he lay at his mercy,
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he promised to restore him his cities
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+20:34"><I>ch.</I> xx. 34</A>),
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and Ahab foolishly took his word, when he ought not to have dismissed
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him till the cities were put into his possession. But now he knows by
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experience, what he ought before to have considered, that as the
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kisses, so the promises, <I>of an enemy are deceitful,</I> and there is
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no confidence to be put in leagues extorted by distress. Benhadad is
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one of those princes that think themselves bound by their word no
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further and no longer than it is for their interest. Whether any other
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cities were restored we do not find, but Ramoth-Gilead was not, a
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considerable city in the tribe of Gad, on the other side Jordan, a
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Levites' city, and one of the cities of refuge. Ahab blames himself,
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and his people, that they did not bestir themselves to recover it out
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of the hands of the Syrians, and to chastise Ben-hadad's violation of
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his league; and resolves to let that ungrateful perfidious prince know
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that as he had given him peace he could give him trouble. Ahab has a
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good cause, yet succeeds not. Equity is not to be judged of by
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prosperity.</P>
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<P>
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II. He engages Jehoshaphat, and draws him in, to join with him in this
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expedition, for the recovery of Ramoth-Gilead,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
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And here I do not wonder that Ahab should desire the assistance of so
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pious and prosperous a neighbour. Even bad men have often coveted the
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friendship of the good. It is desirable to have an interest in those
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that have an interest in heaven, and to have those with us that have
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God with them. But it is strange that Jehoshaphat will go so entirely
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into Ahab's interests as to say, <I>I am as thou art, and my people as
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thy people.</I> I hope not; Jehoshaphat and his people are not so
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wicked and corrupt as Ahab and his people. Too great a complaisance to
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evildoers has brought many good people, through unwariness, into a
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dangerous fellowship with <I>the unfruitful works of darkness.</I>
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Jehoshaphat had like to have paid dearly for his compliment when, in
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battle, he was taken for Ahab. Yet some observe that in joining with
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Israel against Syria he atoned for his father's fault in joining with
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Syria against Israel,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+15:19,20"><I>ch.</I> xv. 19, 20</A>.</P>
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<P>
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III. At the special instance and request of Jehoshaphat, he asks
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counsel of the prophets concerning this expedition. Ahab thought it
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enough to consult with his statesmen, but Jehoshaphat moves that they
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should <I>enquire of the word of the Lord,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
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Note,
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1. Whithersoever a good man goes he desires to take God along with
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him, and will acknowledge him in all his ways, ask leave of him, and
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look up to him for success.
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2. Whithersoever a good man goes he ought to take his religion along
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with him, and not be ashamed to own it, no, not when he is with those
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who have no kindness for it. Jehoshaphat has not left behind him, at
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Jerusalem, his affection, his veneration, for <I>the word of the
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Lord,</I> but both avows it and endeavours to introduce it into Ahab's
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court. If Ahab drew him into his wars, he will draw Ahab into his
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devotions.</P>
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<P>
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IV. Ahab's 400 prophets, the standing regiment he had of them
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(<I>prophets of the groves</I> they called them), agreed to encourage
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him in this expedition and to assure him of success,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
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He put the question to them with a seeming fairness: <I>Shall I go or
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shall I forbear?</I> But they knew which way his inclination was and
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designed only to humour the two kings. To please Jehoshaphat, they made
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use of the name <I>Jehovah:</I> He shall <I>deliver it into the hand of
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the king;</I> they stole the word from the true prophets
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+23:30">Jer. xxiii. 30</A>)
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and spoke their language. To please Ahab they said, <I>Go up.</I> They
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had indeed probabilities on their side: Ahab had, not long since,
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beaten the Syrians twice; he had now a good cause, and was much
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strengthened by his alliance with Jehoshaphat. But they pretended to
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speak by prophecy, not by rational conjecture, by divine, not human,
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foresight: "Thou shalt certainly recover Ramoth-Gilead." Zedekiah, a
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leading man among these prophets, in imitation of the true prophets,
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illustrated his false prophecy with a sign,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
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He made himself a pair of iron horns, representing the two kings, and
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their honour and power (both of which were signified by horns,
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exaltation and force), and with these the Syrians must be pushed. All
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the prophets agreed, as one man, that Ahab should return from this
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expedition a conqueror,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
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Unity is not always the mark of a true church and a true ministry.
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Here were 400 men that prophesied with one mind and one mouth, and yet
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all in an error.</P>
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<P>
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V. Jehoshaphat cannot relish this sort of preaching; it is not like
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what he was used to. The false prophets cannot so mimic the true but
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that he who had spiritual senses exercised could discern the fallacy,
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and therefore he enquired for a <I>prophet of the Lord besides,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
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He is too much of a courtier to say any thing by way of reflection on
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the king's chaplains, but he waits to see a <I>prophet of the Lord,</I>
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intimating that he could not look upon these to be so. They <I>seemed
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to be somewhat</I> (whatever they were, it made no matter to him), but,
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in conference, they <I>added nothing to him,</I> they gave him no
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satisfaction,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+2:6">Gal. ii. 6</A>.
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One faithful prophet of the Lord was worth them all.</P>
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<P>
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VI. Ahab has another, but one he hates, Micaiah by name, and, to please
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Jehoshaphat, he is willing to have him sent for,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:8-10"><I>v.</I> 8-10</A>.
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Ahab owned that they might <I>enquire of the Lord by him,</I> that he
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was a true prophet, and one that knew God's mind. And yet,
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1. He hated him, and was not ashamed to own to the king of Judah that
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he did so, and to give this for a reason. He <I>doth not prophesy good
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concerning me, but evil.</I> And whose fault was that? If Ahab had done
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well, he would have heard nothing but good from heaven; if he do ill,
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he may thank himself for all the uneasiness which the reproofs and
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threats of God's word gave him. Note, Those are wretchedly hardened in
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sin, and are ripening apace for ruin, who hate God's ministers because
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they deal plainly with them and faithfully warn them of their misery
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and danger by reason of sin, and reckon those their enemies that
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<I>tell them the truth.</I>
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2. He had (it should seem) imprisoned him; for, when he committed him
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>),
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he bade the officer carry him back, namely, to the place whence he
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came. We may suppose that this was he that reproved him for his
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clemency to Ben-hadad
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+20:38-43"><I>ch.</I> xx. 38</A>,
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&c.) and for so doing was cast into prison, where he had lain these
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three years. This was the reason why Ahab knew where to find him so
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readily,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
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But his imprisonment had not excluded him for divine visits: the spirit
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of prophecy continued with him there. He was bound, but <I>the word of
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the Lord was not.</I> Nor did it in the lease abate his courage, nor
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make him less confident or faithful in delivering his message.
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Jehoshaphat gave too gentle a reproof to Ahab for expressing his
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indignation against a faithful prophet: <I>Let not the king say so,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
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|
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He should have said, "Thou art unjust to the prophet, unkind to
|
|
thyself, and puttest an affront upon his Lord and thine, in saying so."
|
|
Such sinners as Ahab must be rebuked sharply. However he so far yielded
|
|
to the reproof that, for fear of provoking Jehoshaphat to break off
|
|
from his alliance with him, he orders Micaiah to be sent for with all
|
|
speed,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
The two kings sat each in their robes and chairs of state, in the gate
|
|
of Samaria, ready to receive this poor prophet, and to hear what he had
|
|
to say; for many will give God's word the hearing that will not lend it
|
|
an obedient ear. They were attended with a crowd of flattering
|
|
prophets, that could not think of prophesying any thing but what was
|
|
very sweet and very smooth to two such glorious princes now in
|
|
confederacy. Those that love to be flattered shall not want
|
|
flatterers.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
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|
|
|
VII. Micaiah is pressed by the officer that fetches him to follow the
|
|
cry,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
That officer was unworthy the name of an Israelite who pretended to
|
|
prescribe to a prophet; but he thought him altogether such a one as the
|
|
rest, who studied to please men and not God. He told Micaiah how
|
|
unanimous the other prophets were in foretelling the king's good
|
|
success, how agreeable it was to the king, intimating that it was his
|
|
interest to say as they said--he might thereby gain, not only
|
|
enlargement, but preferment. Those that dote upon worldly things
|
|
themselves think every body else should do so too, and true or false,
|
|
right or wrong, speak and act for their secular interest only. He
|
|
intimated likewise that it would be to no purpose to contradict such a
|
|
numerous and unanimous vote; he would be ridiculed, as affecting a
|
|
foolish singularity, if he should. But Micaiah, who knows better
|
|
things, protests, and backs his protestation with an oath, that he will
|
|
deliver his message from God with all faithfulness, whether it be
|
|
pleasing or displeasing to his prince
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>What the Lord saith to me, that will I speak,</I> without addition,
|
|
diminution, or alteration." This was nobly resolved, and as became one
|
|
who had his eye to a greater King than either of these, arrayed with
|
|
brighter robes, and sitting on a higher throne.</P>
|
|
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|
<A NAME="1Ki22_15"> </A>
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|
<A NAME="1Ki22_16"> </A>
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|
<A NAME="1Ki22_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki22_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki22_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki22_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki22_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki22_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki22_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki22_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki22_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki22_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki22_27"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki22_28"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Micaiah's Prediction.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 897.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>15 So he came to the king. And the king said unto him, Micaiah,
|
|
shall we go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall we forbear?
|
|
And he answered him, Go, and prosper: for the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> shall deliver
|
|
<I>it</I> into the hand of the king.
|
|
16 And the king said unto him, How many times shall I adjure
|
|
thee that thou tell me nothing but <I>that which is</I> true in the
|
|
name of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>?
|
|
17 And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as
|
|
sheep that have not a shepherd: and the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> said, These have no
|
|
master: let them return every man to his house in peace.
|
|
18 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell
|
|
thee that he would prophesy no good concerning me, but evil?
|
|
19 And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>: I saw
|
|
the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven
|
|
standing by him on his right hand and on his left.
|
|
20 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go
|
|
up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? And one said on this manner, and
|
|
another said on that manner.
|
|
21 And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>,
|
|
and said, I will persuade him.
|
|
22 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will
|
|
go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his
|
|
prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade <I>him,</I> and prevail
|
|
also: go forth, and do so.
|
|
23 Now therefore, behold, the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> hath put a lying spirit in
|
|
the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> hath spoken
|
|
evil concerning thee.
|
|
24 But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near, and smote
|
|
Micaiah on the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the
|
|
L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> from me to speak unto thee?
|
|
25 And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see in that day, when
|
|
thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself.
|
|
26 And the king of Israel said, Take Micaiah, and carry him
|
|
back unto Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's
|
|
son;
|
|
27 And say, Thus saith the king, Put this <I>fellow</I> in the
|
|
prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of
|
|
affliction, until I come in peace.
|
|
28 And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>
|
|
hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, O people, every one
|
|
of you.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here Micaiah does well, but, as is common, suffers ill for so
|
|
doing.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. We are told how faithfully he delivered his message, as one that was
|
|
more solicitous to please God than to humour either the great or the
|
|
many. In three ways he delivers his message, and all displeasing to
|
|
Ahab:--</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. He spoke as the rest of the prophets had spoken, but ironically:
|
|
<I>Go, and prosper,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
Ahab put the same question to him that he had put to his own prophets
|
|
(<I>Shall we go, or shall we forbear?</I>) seeming desirous to know
|
|
God's mind, when, like Balaam, he was strongly bent to do his own,
|
|
which Micaiah plainly took notice of when he bade him go, but with such
|
|
an air and pronunciation as plainly showed he spoke it by way of
|
|
derision; as if he had said, "I know you are determined to go, and I
|
|
hear your own prophets are unanimous in assuring you of success; go
|
|
then and take what follows. They say, <I>The Lord shall deliver it
|
|
into the hand of the king;</I> but I do not tell thee that <I>thus
|
|
saith the Lord;</I> no, he saith otherwise." Note, Those deserve to be
|
|
bantered that love to be flattered; and it is just with God to give up
|
|
those to their own counsels that give up themselves to their own lusts.
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+11:9">Eccl. xi. 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
In answer to this Ahab adjured him to tell him the truth, and not to
|
|
jest with him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>),
|
|
|
|
as if he sincerely desired to know both what God would have him to do
|
|
and what he would do with him, yet intending to represent the prophet
|
|
as a perverse ill-humoured man, that would not tell him the truth till
|
|
he was thus put to his oath, or adjured to do it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. Being thus pressed, he plainly foretold that the king would be cut
|
|
off in this expedition, and his army scattered,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
He saw them in a vision, or in a dream, dispersed upon the mountains,
|
|
as sheep that had no one to guide them. <I>Smite the shepherd, and the
|
|
sheep will be scattered,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+13:7">Zech. xiii. 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
This intimates,
|
|
|
|
(1.) That Israel should be deprived of their king, who was their
|
|
shepherd. God took notice of it, <I>These have no master.</I>
|
|
|
|
(2.) That they would be obliged to retire <I>re infecta--without
|
|
accomplishing their object.</I> He does not foresee any great slaughter
|
|
in the army, but that they should make a dishonorable retreat. <I>Let
|
|
them return every man to his house in peace,</I> put into disorder
|
|
indeed for the present, but no great losers by the death of their king;
|
|
he shall fall in war, but they shall go home in peace. Thus Micaiah, in
|
|
his prophecy, testified what he had seen and heard (let them take it
|
|
how they pleased), while the others prophesied merely <I>out of their
|
|
own hearts;</I> see
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+23:28">Jer. xxiii. 28</A>.
|
|
|
|
"The prophet that has a dream let him tell that, and so quote his
|
|
authority; <I>and he that has my word, let him speak my word
|
|
faithfully,</I> and not his own; for <I>what is the chaff to the
|
|
wheat?</I>" Now Ahab finds himself aggrieved, turns to Jehoshaphat, and
|
|
appeals to him whether Micaiah had not manifestly a spite against him,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
Those that bear malice to others are generally willing to believe that
|
|
others bear malice to them, though they have no cause for it, and
|
|
therefore to put the worst constructions upon all they say. What evil
|
|
did Micaiah prophesy to Ahab in telling him that, if he proceeded in
|
|
this expedition, it would be fatal to him, while he might choose
|
|
whether he would proceed in it or no? The greatest kindness we can do
|
|
to one that is going a dangerous way is to tell him of his danger.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. He informed the king how it was that all his prophets encouraged him
|
|
to proceed, that God permitted Satan by them to deceive him into his
|
|
ruin, and he by vision knew of it; it was represented to him, and he
|
|
represented it to Ahab, that the God of heaven had determined he should
|
|
fall at Ramoth-Gilead
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:19,20"><I>v.</I> 19, 20</A>),
|
|
|
|
that the favour he had wickedly shown to Ben-hadad might be punished by
|
|
him and his Syrians, and that he being in some doubt whether he should
|
|
go to Ramoth-Gilead or no, and resolving to be advised by his prophets,
|
|
they should persuade him to it and prevail
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:21,22"><I>v.</I> 21, 22</A>);
|
|
|
|
and hence it was that they encouraged him with so much assurance
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>);
|
|
|
|
it was a lie from the father of lies, but by divine permission. This
|
|
matter is here represented after the manner of men. We are not to
|
|
imagine that God is ever put upon new counsels, or is ever at a loss
|
|
for means whereby to effect his purposes, nor that he needs to consult
|
|
with angels, or any creature, about the methods he should take, nor
|
|
that he is the author of sin or the cause of any man's either telling
|
|
or believing a lie; but, besides what was intended by this with
|
|
reference to Ahab himself, it is to teach us,
|
|
|
|
(1.) That God is a great king above all kings, and has a throne above
|
|
all the thrones of earthly princes. "You have your thrones," said
|
|
Micaiah to these two kings, "and you think you may do what you will,
|
|
and we must all say as you would have us; but <I>I saw the Lord sitting
|
|
upon his throne,</I> and every man's judgment proceeding from him, and
|
|
therefore I must say as he says; he is not a man, as you are."
|
|
|
|
(2.) That he is continually attended and served by an innumerable
|
|
company of angels, those heavenly hosts, who stand by him, ready to go
|
|
where he sends them and to do what he bids them, messengers of mercy
|
|
<I>on his right hand,</I> of wrath <I>on his left hand.</I>
|
|
|
|
(3.) That he not only takes cognizance of, but presides over, all the
|
|
affairs of this lower world, and overrules them <I>according to the
|
|
counsel of his own will.</I> The rise and fall of princes, the issues
|
|
of war, and all the great affairs of state, which are the subject of
|
|
the consultations of wise and great men, are no more above God's
|
|
direction than the meanest concerns of the poorest cottages are below
|
|
his notice.
|
|
|
|
(4.) That God has many ways of bringing about his own counsels,
|
|
particularly concerning the fall of sinners when they are ripe for
|
|
ruin; he can do it either in this manner or in that manner.
|
|
|
|
(5.) That there are malicious and lying spirits which go about
|
|
continually seeking to devour, and, in order to that, seeking to
|
|
deceive, and especially to put lies into the mouths of prophets, by
|
|
them to entice many to their destruction.
|
|
|
|
(6.) It is not without the divine permission that the devil deceives
|
|
men, and even thereby God serves his own purposes. <I>With him are
|
|
strength and wisdom, the deceived and the deceivers are his,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+12:16">Job xii. 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
When he pleases, for the punishment of those who receive not the truth
|
|
in the love of it, he not only <I>lets Satan loose to deceive them</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+20:7,8">Rev. xx. 7, 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
but <I>gives men up to strong delusions to believe</I> him,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+2:11,12">2 Thess. ii. 11, 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
(7.) Those are manifestly marked for ruin that are thus given up. God
|
|
has certainly <I>spoken evil concerning those</I> whom he had given up
|
|
to be imposed upon by lying prophets. Thus Micaiah gave Ahab fair
|
|
warning, not only of the danger of proceeding in this war, but of the
|
|
danger of believing those that encouraged him to proceed. Thus we are
|
|
warned to <I>beware of false prophets,</I> and to try the spirits; the
|
|
lying spirit never deceives so fatally as <I>in the mouth of
|
|
prophets.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. We are told how he was abused for delivering his message thus
|
|
faithfully, thus plainly, in a way so very proper both to convince and
|
|
to affect.
|
|
|
|
1. Zedekiah, a wicked prophet, impudently insulted him in the face of
|
|
the court, <I>smote him on the cheek,</I> to reproach him, to silence
|
|
him and stop his mouth, and to express his indignation at him (thus was
|
|
our blessed Saviour abused,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+26:67">Matt. xxvi. 67</A>,
|
|
|
|
that Judge of Israel,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mic+5:1">Mic. v. 1</A>);
|
|
|
|
and as if he not only had the spirit of the Lord, but the monopoly of
|
|
this Spirit, that he might not go without his leave, he asks, <I>Which
|
|
way went the Spirit of the Lord from me to speak to thee?</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>.
|
|
|
|
The false prophets were always the worst enemies the true prophets had,
|
|
and not only stirred up the government against them, but were
|
|
themselves abusive to them, as Zedekiah here. To strike within the
|
|
verge of the court, especially in the king's presence, is looked upon
|
|
by our law as a high misdemeanour; yet this wicked prophet gives this
|
|
abuse to a prophet of the Lord, and is not reprimanded nor bound to his
|
|
good behaviour for it. Ahab was pleased with it, and Jehoshaphat had
|
|
not courage to appear for the injured prophet, pretending it was out of
|
|
his jurisdiction; but Micaiah, though he returns not his blow (God's
|
|
prophets are not strikers nor persecutors, dare not avenge themselves,
|
|
render blow for blow, or be in any way accessory to the breach of the
|
|
peace), yet, since he boasted so much of the Spirit, as those commonly
|
|
do that know least of his operations, he leaves him to be convinced of
|
|
his error by the event: <I>Thou shalt know when thou hidest thyself in
|
|
an inner chamber,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is likely Zedekiah went with Ahab to the battle, and took his horns
|
|
of iron with him to encourage the soldiers, to see with pleasure the
|
|
accomplishment of his prophecy, and return in triumph with the king;
|
|
but, the army being routed, he fled among the rest from the sword of
|
|
the enemy, sheltered himself as Ben-hadad had done in <I>a chamber
|
|
within a chamber</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+20:30"><I>ch.</I> xx. 30</A>),
|
|
|
|
lest he should perish, as he knew he deserved to do, with those whom he
|
|
had deluded, as Balaam did
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+31:8">Num. xxxi. 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
and lest the blind prophet should <I>fall into the ditch</I> with the
|
|
blinded prince whom he had misled. Note, Those that will not have their
|
|
mistakes rectified in time by the word of God will be undeceived, when
|
|
it is too late, by the judgments of God.
|
|
|
|
2. Ahab, that wicked king, committed him to prison
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>),
|
|
|
|
not only ordered him to be taken into custody, or remitted to the
|
|
prison whence he came, but to be fed with bread and water, coarse bread
|
|
and puddle-water, till he should return, not doubting but that he
|
|
should return a conqueror, and then he would put him to death for a
|
|
false prophet
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>)--
|
|
|
|
hard usage for one that would have prevented his ruin! But by this it
|
|
appeared that God had <I>determined to destroy him,</I> as
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+25:16">2 Chron. xxv. 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
How confident is Ahab of success. He doubts not but he shall return in
|
|
peace, forgetting what he himself had reminded Ben-hadad of, <I>Let not
|
|
him that girdeth on the harness boast;</I> but there was little
|
|
likelihood of his coming home in peace when he left one of God's
|
|
prophets behind him in prison. Micaiah put it upon the issue, and
|
|
called all the people to be witnesses that he did so: "<I>If thou
|
|
return in peace, the Lord has not spoken by me,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>.
|
|
|
|
Let me incur the reproach and punishment of a false prophet, if the
|
|
king come home alive." He ran no hazard by this appeal, for he knew
|
|
whom he had believed; he that is terrible to the kings of the earth,
|
|
and treads upon princes as mortar, will rather let thousands of them
|
|
fall to the ground than one jot or tittle of his own word; he will not
|
|
fail to <I>confirm the word of his servants,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+44:26">Isa. xliv. 26</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki22_29"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki22_30"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki22_31"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki22_32"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki22_33"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki22_34"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki22_35"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki22_36"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki22_37"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki22_38"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki22_39"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki22_40"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Ahab's Death.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 897.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>29 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went
|
|
up to Ramoth-gilead.
|
|
30 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will
|
|
disguise myself, and enter into the battle; but put thou on thy
|
|
robes. And the king of Israel disguised himself, and went into
|
|
the battle.
|
|
31 But the king of Syria commanded his thirty and two captains
|
|
that had rule over his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small
|
|
nor great, save only with the king of Israel.
|
|
32 And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw
|
|
Jehoshaphat, that they said, Surely it <I>is</I> the king of Israel.
|
|
And they turned aside to fight against him: and Jehoshaphat cried
|
|
out.
|
|
33 And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots
|
|
perceived that it <I>was</I> not the king of Israel, that they turned
|
|
back from pursuing him.
|
|
34 And a <I>certain</I> man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the
|
|
king of Israel between the joints of the harness: wherefore he
|
|
said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry
|
|
me out of the host; for I am wounded.
|
|
35 And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed
|
|
up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even: and the
|
|
blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot.
|
|
36 And there went a proclamation throughout the host about the
|
|
going down of the sun, saying, Every man to his city, and every
|
|
man to his own country.
|
|
37 So the king died, and was brought to Samaria; and they
|
|
buried the king in Samaria.
|
|
38 And <I>one</I> washed the chariot in the pool of Samaria; and the
|
|
dogs licked up his blood; and they washed his armour; according
|
|
unto the word of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> which he spake.
|
|
39 Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and
|
|
the ivory house which he made, and all the cities that he built,
|
|
<I>are</I> they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings
|
|
of Israel?
|
|
40 So Ahab slept with his fathers; and Ahaziah his son reigned
|
|
in his stead.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
The matter in contest between God's prophet and Ahab's prophets is here
|
|
soon determined, and it is made to appear which was in the right.
|
|
Here,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. The two kings march with their forces to Ramoth-Gilead,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>.
|
|
|
|
That the king of Israel, who hated God's prophet, should so far
|
|
disbelieve his admonition as to persist in his resolution,
|
|
notwithstanding, is not strange; but that Jehoshaphat, that pious
|
|
prince, who had desired to enquire by a <I>prophet of the Lord,</I> as
|
|
disrelishing and discrediting Ahab's prophets, should yet proceed,
|
|
after so fair a warning, is matter of astonishment. But by the easiness
|
|
of his temper he was carried away with the delusion (as Barnabas was
|
|
with the dissimulation,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+2:13">Gal. ii. 13</A>)
|
|
|
|
of his friends. He gave too much heed to Ahab's prophets, because they
|
|
pretended to speak from God too, and in his country he had never been
|
|
imposed upon by such cheats. He was ready to give his opinion with the
|
|
majority, and to conclude that it was 400 to one but they should
|
|
succeed. Micaiah had not forbidden them to go; nay, at first, he said,
|
|
<I>Go, and prosper.</I> If it came to the worst, it was only Ahab's
|
|
fall that was foretold, and therefore Jehoshaphat hoped he might safely
|
|
venture.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. Ahab adopts a contrivance by which he hopes to secure himself and
|
|
expose his friend
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>I will disguise myself,</I> and go in the habit of a common
|
|
soldier, but let <I>Jehoshaphat put on his robes,</I> to appear in the
|
|
dress of a general." He pretended thereby to do honour to Jehoshaphat,
|
|
and to compliment him with the sole command of the army in this action.
|
|
He shall direct and give orders, and Ahab will serve as a soldier under
|
|
him. But he intended,
|
|
|
|
1. To make a liar of a good prophet. Thus he hoped to elude the danger,
|
|
and so to defeat the threatening, as if, by disguising himself, he
|
|
could escape the divine cognizance and the judgments that pursued him.
|
|
|
|
2. To make a fool of a good king, whom he did not cordially love,
|
|
because he was one that adhered to God and so condemned his apostasy.
|
|
He knew that if any perished it must be the shepherd (so Micaiah had
|
|
foretold); and perhaps he had intimation of the charge the enemy had to
|
|
fight chiefly <I>against the king of Israel,</I> and therefore basely
|
|
intended to betray Jehoshaphat to the danger, that he might secure
|
|
himself. Ahab was marked for ruin; one would not have been in his coat
|
|
for a great sum; yet he will over-persuade this godly king to muster
|
|
for him. See what those get that join in affinity with vicious men,
|
|
whose consciences are debauched, and who are lost to every thing that
|
|
is honourable. How can it be expected that he should be true to his
|
|
friend that has been false to his God?</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. Jehoshaphat, having more piety than policy, put himself into the
|
|
post of honour, though it was the post of danger, and was thereby
|
|
brought into the peril of his life, but God graciously delivered him.
|
|
The king of Syria charged his captains to level their force, not
|
|
against the king of Judah, for with him he had no quarrel, but against
|
|
the king of Israel only
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>),
|
|
|
|
to aim at his person, as if against him he had a particular enmity. Now
|
|
Ahab was justly repaid for sparing Ben-hadad, who, as the seed of the
|
|
serpent commonly do, stung the bosom in which he was fostered and saved
|
|
from perishing. Some think that he designed only to have him taken
|
|
prisoner, that he might now give him as honourable a treatment as he
|
|
had formerly received from him. Whatever was the reason, this charge
|
|
the officers received, and endeavoured to oblige their prince in this
|
|
matter; for, seeing Jehoshaphat in his royal habit, they took him for
|
|
the king of Israel, and surrounded him. Now,
|
|
|
|
1. By his danger God let him know that he was displeased with him for
|
|
joining in confederacy with Ahab. Jehoshaphat had said, in compliment
|
|
to Ahab
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>I am as thou art;</I> and now he was indeed taken for him. Those
|
|
that associate with evil doers are in danger of sharing in their
|
|
plagues.
|
|
|
|
2. By his deliverance God let him know that, though he was displeased
|
|
with him, yet he had not deserted him. Some of the captains that knew
|
|
him perceived their mistake, and so retired from the pursuit of him;
|
|
but it is said
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+18:31">2 Chron. xviii. 31</A>)
|
|
|
|
that <I>God moved them</I> (for he has all hearts in his hand) <I>to
|
|
depart from him.</I> To him he cried out, not in cowardice, but
|
|
devotion, and from him his relief came: Ahab was in no care to succour
|
|
him. God is a friend that will not fail us when other friends do.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. Ahab receives his mortal wound in the battle, notwithstanding his
|
|
endeavours to secure himself in the habit of a private sentinel. Let no
|
|
man think to hide himself from God's judgment, no, not in masquerade.
|
|
<I>Thy hand shall find out all thy enemies,</I> whatever disguise they
|
|
are in,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:34"><I>v.</I> 34</A>.
|
|
|
|
The Syrian that shot him little thought of doing such a piece of
|
|
service to God and his king; for he <I>drew a bow at a venture,</I> not
|
|
aiming particularly at any man, yet God so directed the arrow that,
|
|
|
|
1. He hit the right person, the man that was marked for destruction,
|
|
whom, if they had taken alive, as was designed, perhaps Ben-hadad would
|
|
have spared. Those cannot escape with life whom God hath doomed to
|
|
death.
|
|
|
|
2. He hit him in the right place, <I>between the joints of the
|
|
harness,</I> the only place about him where this arrow of death could
|
|
find entrance. No armour is of proof against the darts of divine
|
|
vengeance. Case the criminal in steel, and it is all one, <I>he that
|
|
made him can make his sword to approach him.</I> That which to us seems
|
|
altogether casual is done by the determinate counsel and fore-knowledge
|
|
of God.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
V. The army is dispersed by the enemy and sent home by the king. Either
|
|
Jehoshaphat or Ahab ordered the retreat of the sheep, when the shepherd
|
|
was smitten: <I>Every man to his city,</I> for it is to no purpose to
|
|
attempt any thing more,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:36"><I>v.</I> 36</A>.
|
|
|
|
Ahab himself lived long enough to see that part of Micaiah's prophecy
|
|
accomplished that all Israel should be scattered <I>upon the mountains
|
|
of Gilead</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>),
|
|
|
|
and perhaps with his dying lips did himself give orders for it; for
|
|
though he would be carried out of the army, to have his wounds dressed
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:34"><I>v.</I> 34</A>),
|
|
|
|
yet he would be <I>held up in his chariot,</I> to see if his army were
|
|
victorious. But, when he saw the battle increase against them, his
|
|
spirits sunk, and he died, but his death was so lingering that he had
|
|
time to feel himself die; and we may well imagine with what horror he
|
|
now reflected upon the wickedness he had committed, the warnings he had
|
|
slighted, Baal's altars, Naboth's vineyard, Micaiah's imprisonment. Now
|
|
he sees himself flattered into his own ruin, and Zedekiah's horns of
|
|
iron pushing, not the Syrians, but himself, into destruction. Thus is
|
|
he <I>brought to the king of terrors</I> without <I>hope in his
|
|
death.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
VI. The royal corpse is brought to Samaria and buried there
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:37"><I>v.</I> 37</A>),
|
|
|
|
and hither are brought the bloody chariot and bloody armour in which he
|
|
died,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:38"><I>v.</I> 38</A>.
|
|
|
|
One particular circumstance is taken notice of, because there was in it
|
|
the accomplishment of a prophecy, that when they brought the chariot to
|
|
the pool of Samaria, to be washed, the dogs (and swine, says the LXX.)
|
|
gathered about it, and, as is usual, <I>licked the blood,</I> or, as
|
|
some think, the water in which it was washed, with which the blood was
|
|
mingled: the dogs made no difference between royal blood and other
|
|
blood. Now Naboth's blood was avenged
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+21:19"><I>ch.</I> xxi. 19</A>),
|
|
|
|
and that word of David, as well as Elijah's word, was fulfilled
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+68:23">Ps. lxviii. 23</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thy enemies, and the
|
|
tongue of thy dogs in the same.</I> The dogs licking the guilty blood
|
|
was perhaps designed to represent the terrors that prey upon the guilty
|
|
soul after death.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>Lastly,</I> The story of Ahab is here concluded in the usual form,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:39,40"><I>v.</I> 39, 40</A>.
|
|
|
|
Among his works mention is made of an ivory house which he built, so
|
|
called because many parts of it were inlaid with ivory; perhaps it was
|
|
intended to vie with the stately palace of the kings of Judah, which
|
|
Solomon built.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki22_41"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki22_42"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki22_43"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki22_44"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki22_45"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki22_46"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki22_47"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki22_48"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki22_49"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki22_50"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki22_51"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki22_52"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki22_53"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Jehoshaphat's Death.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 897.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>41 And Jehoshaphat the son of Asa began to reign over Judah in
|
|
the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel.
|
|
42 Jehoshaphat <I>was</I> thirty and five years old when he began to
|
|
reign; and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And his
|
|
mother's name <I>was</I> Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.
|
|
43 And he walked in all the ways of Asa his father; he turned
|
|
not aside from it, doing <I>that which was</I> right in the eyes of
|
|
the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>: nevertheless the high places were not taken away; <I>for</I>
|
|
the people offered and burnt incense yet in the high places.
|
|
44 And Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel.
|
|
45 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, and his might that
|
|
he showed, and how he warred, <I>are</I> they not written in the book
|
|
of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
|
|
46 And the remnant of the sodomites, which remained in the days
|
|
of his father Asa, he took out of the land.
|
|
47 <I>There was</I> then no king in Edom: a deputy <I>was</I> king.
|
|
48 Jehoshaphat made ships of Tharshish to go to Ophir for gold:
|
|
but they went not; for the ships were broken at Ezion-geber.
|
|
49 Then said Ahaziah the son of Ahab unto Jehoshaphat, Let my
|
|
servants go with thy servants in the ships. But Jehoshaphat would
|
|
not.
|
|
50 And Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with
|
|
his fathers in the city of David his father: and Jehoram his son
|
|
reigned in his stead.
|
|
51 Ahaziah the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in
|
|
Samaria the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and
|
|
reigned two years over Israel.
|
|
52 And he did evil in the sight of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, and walked in the
|
|
way of his father, and in the way of his mother, and in the way
|
|
of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin:
|
|
53 For he served Baal, and worshipped him, and provoked to
|
|
anger the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> God of Israel, according to all that his father
|
|
had done.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here is,
|
|
|
|
I. A short account of the reign of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, of which
|
|
we shall have a much fuller narrative in the book of Chronicles, and of
|
|
the greatness and goodness of that prince, neither of which was
|
|
lessened or sullied by any thing but his intimacy with the house of
|
|
Ahab, which, upon several accounts, was a diminution to him. His
|
|
confederacy with Ahab in war we have already found dangerous to him,
|
|
and his confederacy with Ahaziah his son in trade sped no better. He
|
|
offered to go partner with him in a fleet of merchant-ships, that
|
|
should fetch gold from Ophir, as Solomon's navy did,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:49"><I>v.</I> 49</A>.
|
|
|
|
See
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+20:35,36">2 Chron. xx. 35, 36</A>.
|
|
|
|
But, while they were preparing to set sail, they were exceedingly
|
|
damaged and disabled by a storm (<I>broken at Ezion-geber</I>), which a
|
|
prophet gave Jehoshaphat to understand was a rebuke to him for his
|
|
league with wicked Ahaziah
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+20:37">2 Chron. xx. 37</A>);
|
|
|
|
and therefore, as we are told here
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:49"><I>v.</I> 49</A>),
|
|
|
|
when Ahaziah desired a second time to be a partner with him, or, if
|
|
that could not be obtained, that he might but send his servants with
|
|
some effects of board Jehoshaphat's ships, he refused: <I>Jehoshaphat
|
|
would not.</I> The rod of God, expounded by the word of God, had
|
|
effectually broken him off from his confederacy with that ungodly
|
|
unhappy prince. Better buy wisdom dear than be without it; but
|
|
experience is therefore said to be the mistress of fools because those
|
|
are fools that will not learn till they are taught by experience, and
|
|
particularly till they are taught the danger of associating with wicked
|
|
people. Now Jehoshaphat's reign appears here to have been none of the
|
|
longest, but one of the best.
|
|
|
|
1. It was none of the longest, for he reigned but twenty-five years
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:42"><I>v.</I> 42</A>),
|
|
|
|
but then it was in the prime of his time, between thirty-five and
|
|
sixty, and these twenty-five, added to his father's happy forty-one,
|
|
give us a grateful idea of the flourishing condition of the kingdom of
|
|
Judah, and of religion in it, for a great while, even when things were
|
|
very bad, upon all accounts, in the kingdom of Israel. If Jehoshaphat
|
|
reigned not so long as his father, to balance this he had not those
|
|
blemishes on the latter end of his reign that his father had
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+16:9,10,12">2 Chron. xvi. 9, 10, 12</A>),
|
|
|
|
and it is better for a man that has been in reputation for wisdom and
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honour to die in the midst of it than to outlive it.
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2. Yet is was one of the best, both in respect of piety and prosperity.
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(1.) He did well: He <I>did that which was right in the eyes of the
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Lord</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:43"><I>v.</I> 43</A>),
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observed the commands of his God, and trod in the steps of his good
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father; and he persevered therein: He <I>turned not aside from it.</I>
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Yet every man's character has some <I>but</I> or other, so had his; the
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<I>high places were not taken away,</I> no not out of Judah and
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Benjamin, though those tribes lay so near Jerusalem that they might
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easily bring their offerings and incense to the altar there, and could
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not pretend, as some other of the tribes, the inconveniency of lying
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remote. But old corruptions are with difficulty rooted out, especially
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when they have formerly had the patronage of those that were good, as
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the high places had of Samuel, Solomon, and some others.
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(2.) His affairs did well. He prevented the mischiefs which had
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attended their wars with the kingdom of Israel, establishing a lasting
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peace
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:44"><I>v.</I> 44</A>),
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which would have been a greater blessing if he had contented himself
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with a peace, and not carried it on to an affinity with Israel; he put
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a deputy, or viceroy, in Edom, so that the kingdom was tributary to him
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:47"><I>v.</I> 47</A>),
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and therein the prophecy concerning Esau and Jacob was fulfilled, that
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<I>the elder should serve the younger.</I> And, in general, mention is
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made of his might and his wars,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:45"><I>v.</I> 45</A>.
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He pleased God, and God blessed him with strength and success. His
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death is spoken of
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:50"><I>v.</I> 50</A>),
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to shut up his story, yet, in the history of the kings of Israel, we
|
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find mention of him afterwards,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+3:7">2 Kings iii. 7</A>.</P>
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<P>
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II. The beginning of the story of Ahaziah the son of Ahab,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+22:51-53"><I>v.</I> 51-53</A>.
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His reign was very short, not two years. Some sinners God makes quick
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work with. It is a very bad character that is here given him. He not
|
|
only kept up Jeroboam's idolatry, but the worship of Baal likewise;
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|
though he had heard of the ruin of Jeroboam's family, and had seen his
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|
own father drawn into destruction by the prophets of Baal, who had
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|
often been proved false prophets, yet he received no instruction, took
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no warning, but followed the example of his wicked father and the
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counsel of his more wicked mother Jezebel, who was still living.
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Miserable are the children that not only derive a stock of corruption
|
|
from their parents, but are thus taught by them to trade with it; and
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unhappy, most unhappy parents, are those that help to damn their
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children's souls.</P>
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