Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: 1 Kings 22 and Psalm 119:97-128

An unlikely alliance formed between the righteous Judean King Jehoshaphat and the wicked Israelite King Ahab, when they agreed to join forces to take back Ramoth Gilead. This strategic town (40km from Jerusalem) was meant to have been returned by Ben Hadad of Syria under the terms of a treaty made in 1 Kings 20, but it had not been done.

Before being willing to go to battle, Jehoshapat insisted that they inquire of the LORD. So Ahab sent for a group of 400 prophets, who all spoke in agreement and told King Ahab what he wanted to hear: “‘Go,’ they answered, ‘for the Lord will give it into the king’s hand.’ (v.6) But Jehoshaphat was not fooled. Just because everyone purporting to speak the word of the Lord says the same thing does not mean it’s true. The majority can also be wrong, deceived, or (as in this case) corrupted the selfish desire to please powerful people. So Jehoshaphat asked a simple question: “‘Is there no longer a prophet of the LORD here whom we can enquire of?’ (v.7).

There is an important difference between “the Lord”, whom the false prophets claimed would give the kings victory, and “the LORD” (all capitals). The former is a generic word for a lord, the latter is the transliteration used when the original referred to I AM, Yahweh, the eternal God of Israel. Jehoshaphat discerned that these 400 prophets spoke deceptively and did not truly represent Yahweh, the One True God. So, despite their agreeable words, he questioned their accuracy and asked for “a prophet of the LORD” to be brought before them.

Some questions are raised for our discipleship journey: Am I willing to trust the discernment the Holy Spirit gives me and go against the majority? Am I willing to follow the Word of the LORD, rather than the word of the people? When faced with a choice, do I obey the will of the LORD, rather than the will of the majority?

Heavenly Father, please grant me a clear understanding of Your Word and Your will, through the ministry of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Help me to discern falsehood, error and half-truths which can potentially lead me astray. By Your grace, keep me in step with Your will – today and always. Amen.