YEAR 2, WEEK 40, Day 1, Monday, 29 September 2025

https://esv.literalword.com/?q=1+kings+22

Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Monday, 29 September 2025:

1 Kings 22:1-4 – For three years Syria and Israel continued without war. But in the third year Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel. And the king of Israel said to his servants, “Do you know that Ramoth-gilead belongs to us, and we keep quiet and do not take it out of the hand of the king of Syria?” And he said to Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to battle at Ramoth-gilead?” And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.”

The Bible says, “The Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals but sought the God of his father and walked in his commandments, and not according to the practices of Israel.” (2 Chronicles 17:3, 4) Conversely, concerning Ahab, the king of Israel, the Bible says, “There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the Lord like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited. He acted very abominably in going after idols, as the Amorites had done, whom the Lord cast out before the people of Israel.” (1 Kings 21:25-26) Shockingly, today we read how Jehoshaphat, though a godly king in many respects, established an unholy alliance with the wicked king Ahab. 2 Chronicles 18 provides a bit more detail: Jehoshaphat had “made a marriage alliance with Ahab (similar to what Solomon did with Pharaoh),” and during a large banquet (party), Ahab induced Jehoshaphat to ally with him in battle. (2 Chronicles 18:1,2)

• 2 Corinthians 6:14 — Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?

The Bible warns God’s people not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers or the unfaithful, and today’s readings caution us on how easily we can be influenced by the ungodly and become entangled in their worldly affairs.

• 1 Corinthians 15:33 — Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

Ahab enticed Jehoshaphat to join him in a battle God never endorsed. Only after agreeing did Jehoshaphat insist on seeking the Lord’s direction. Ahab then produced 400 false prophets who predicted victory with great ceremony. Still, Jehoshaphat wanted to hear from the outlier, Micaiah. However, when Micaiah predicted disaster, Ahab simply silenced him, and Jehoshaphat joined Ahab on a doomed mission. During the battle, Jehoshaphat almost lost his life, and Ahab was killed as Micaiah predicted.

The ungodly can be very convincing, proclaiming a good, even spiritual, cause and stacking the ‘evidence’ in their favor. Christians must be very careful to be led by God’s word and the Holy Spirit rather than worldly influences. Compromise with the world always erodes holiness and promotes destruction.

After Ahab’s death, our readings tell us that, “Jehoshaphat made ships of Tarshish to go to Ophir for gold, but they did not go, for the ships were wrecked at Ezion-geber.” Again, 2 Chronicles tells the rest of the story here: “After this Jehoshaphat king of Judah joined with Ahaziah king of Israel, who acted wickedly. He joined him in building ships to go to Tarshish, and they built the ships in Ezion-geber. Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, ‘Because you have joined with Ahaziah, the Lord will destroy what you have made.’ And the ships were wrecked and were not able to go to Tarshish.” (2 Chronicles 20:35-37)

Again, Jehoshaphat partnered with the ungodly and suffered needlessly. There is an important lesson for us as Christians about being “in the world but not of the world”: We must learn how to engage the world without partnering with the world, without becoming entangled in worldly affairs, without compromising our holiness, witness, and influence.

How often do we compromise for the sake of maintaining relationships with the ungodly, and how do we justify that compromise to ourselves? Who are the Micaiahs out there we might be ignoring, preferring the 400 positive, motivational, worldly preachers and compromising our holiness in the name of cooperation or common sense?

1 Kings 22:5-7 — And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Inquire first for the word of the LORD.” Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall I go to battle against Ramoth-gilead, or shall I refrain?” And they said, “Go up, for the Lord will give it into the hand of the king.” But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not here another prophet of the LORD of whom we may inquire?”

Jehoshaphat at least recognized the need to hear from God, but Ahab’s prophets were false, merely echoing what the king wanted to hear. Their unanimous approval was suspicious, and Jehoshaphat discerned that no true prophet of Yahweh had spoken. This shows the importance of testing the spirits (1 John 4:1) and seeking truth, not flattery. God’s word often stands against the majority opinion.

• 1 John 4:1 — Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
• Acts 17:11 — Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

1 Kings 22:6-8 – Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall I go to battle against Ramoth-gilead, or shall I refrain?” And they said, “Go up, for the Lord will give it into the hand of the king.” But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no longer a prophet of the Lord here whom we can inquire of?” The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, “There is still one prophet through whom we can inquire of the Lord, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me…”

The king of Israel surrounded himself with religious leaders who claimed to speak for God but only said what he wanted to hear. This is often how people choose what church they go to – they pick the one that agrees with them, rather than seeking the one which faithfully proclaims God’s word even when uncomfortable. Second Timothy 4:3 has this to say: “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.”

God’s people are called to proclaim truth, whether people want to hear it or not, but fear of man will tempt us to avoid the confrontation that comes when light exposes darkness. Both Elijah and Micaiah suffered greatly for their testimony. Because of their unyielding and bold faithfulness, the king hated them and persecuted them. Today, Elijah and Micaiah would have been called haters, close minded, and judgmental, but note that, in the end, Ahab humbles himself before the Lord.

We are commanded to proclaim the truth before power and contrary public opinion. Our love for God AND our love for others is demonstrated through faithful obedience. As Paul says in our readings today, “Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ.”

1 Kings 22:8 — And 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.”

Ahab despised Micaiah because he told the truth. The wicked heart rejects correction and resents God’s word when it opposes sinful desires. Proverbs 9:8 says, “Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.” Ahab would rather listen to lies than repent.

• John 3:20 — For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.
• John 15:18-19, 23-25 — “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you…. Whoever hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’

1 Kings 22:13-14 – And the messenger who went to summon Micaiah said to him, “Behold, the words of the prophets with one accord are favorable to the king. Let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak favorably.” But Micaiah said, “As the LORD lives, what the LORD says to me, that I will speak.”

Micaiah models prophetic faithfulness: he refuses to alter his message to please men. Paul reflects this same principle in Galatians 1:10: “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” The true servant of God speaks truth regardless of cost.

1 Kings 22:14 — But Micaiah said, “As the Lord lives, what the Lord says to me, that I will speak.”

Is this your criteria for what you say to others? You are not your own; you are Christ’s ambassador, His image bearer, 24/7, 365. Your words must be only His words, and your deeds must be His.

• John 5:17-20 — But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” … So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel.”
• John 8:26 – “I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.”
• John 12:49 — “For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment — what to say and what to speak.”
• John 14:10 — “Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.”

1 Kings 22:15-18 — And when he had come to the king, the king said to him, “Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall we refrain?” And he answered him, “Go up and triumph; the LORD will give it into the hand of the king.” But the king said to him, “How many times shall I make you swear that you speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?” And he said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd.”

At first, Micaiah sarcastically echoed the false prophets, exposing Ahab’s desire for affirmation. But when pressed, he revealed the truth: disaster was coming. Ahab, the corrupt shepherd, would die, and Israel would be left leaderless. This reminds us that when leaders reject God’s word, their downfall brings harm to many under their care. Leadership without submission to God is dangerous.

Micaiah knew the king didn’t really want to hear or accept God’s word. However, that did not stop him from speaking the truth. Again, we have been given the authority, the power, and the responsibility to speak the truth of God’s word to the world. We have been commissioned by God to fulfill this life purpose. So, how are you doing?

• John 18:37 — Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world — to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
• Ezekiel 3:16-21 — “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die for his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, or from his wicked way, he shall die for his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul. Again, if a righteous person turns from his righteousness and commits injustice, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die. Because you have not warned him, he shall die for his sin, and his righteous deeds that he has done shall not be remembered, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the righteous person not to sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live, because he took warning, and you will have delivered your soul.”
• 2 Timothy 4:1-2 — I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

1 Kings 22:19-23 — And Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing beside him… and the LORD said, ‘Who will entice Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ … And the LORD said, ‘You are to entice him, and you shall succeed; go out and do so.’”

Here Micaiah unveils the heavenly perspective: Ahab’s doom is decreed. God, in His sovereignty, allows a lying spirit to accomplish His judgment on the king who repeatedly rejected truth. This is a sobering reminder that when people continually resist God, He may give them over to delusion (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12; Romans 1:24-28). Rejecting truth hardens the heart until judgment becomes inevitable.

1 Kings 22:26-28 – And the king of Israel said, “Seize Micaiah, and take him back to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king’s son, and say, ‘Thus says the king, Put this fellow in prison and feed him meager rations of bread and water, until I come in peace.’” And Micaiah said, “If you return in peace, the Lord has not spoken by me.” And he said, “Hear, all you peoples!”

Micaiah boldly accepted persecution rather than compromise God’s word. He was willing to suffer imprisonment for the sake of truth. This anticipates the calling of Christ’s followers to endure rejection and hardship for righteousness’ sake (Matthew 5:11-12). Faithfulness is measured not by outcomes but by obedience.

• Matthew 5:10-12 — “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
• John 15:20 — Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
• Matthew 5:44 — But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you….

1 Kings 21:27 – “…and say, ‘Thus says the king, Put this fellow in prison and feed him meager rations of bread and water, until I come in peace.’”

The king didn’t just ignore God’s word, he punished the messenger in order to silence the truth. However, his refusal to hear truth didn’t make it less true or the consequences less predictable. We choose our actions, but we don’t choose the outcomes.

1 Kings 22:28 — If you return in peace, the Lord has not spoken by me.

If you speak on behalf of God, and what you say does not happen, you are deceived and have misrepresented the KING. Essentially, you have become a false prophet. Be very careful about what you say in the Name of God. Be very careful not to put a Christian stamp on your own opinion or teachings emanating from pop psychology. It is not uncommon in Christian circles to hear someone say something like, “I think God is telling me to… [do this or that].” However, when God speaks there is never any doubt. Micaiah was so sure his words were God’s words, he was compelled to deliver a message he didn’t want to deliver at the risk of his very life and against all the others who claimed falsely to speak for God.

In review and summary: Ahab surrounded himself with prophets who told him what he wanted to hear, aggressively rejecting the one true prophet Micaiah who put his life on the line to speak God’s truth despite knowing that Ahab would reject the truth (a lesson for us today). Ahab’s refusal to listen to God’s word, which conflicted with his desires, resulted in Ahab’s death.

Even Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, who tried hard to honor God, allowed himself to be unduly influenced by the world around him rather than serving God wholeheartedly. We read today that Jehoshaphat engaged in an unsanctioned battle with the ungodly Ahab — Jehoshaphat had made an “unequally yoked” alliance with Ahab (2 Chronicles 18). How could a noble king like Jehoshaphat ever say to an evil king such as Ahab, “I am as you are, my people as your people. We will be with you in the war.”? Then, after Ahab’s death, our readings tell us that, “Jehoshaphat made ships of Tarshish to go to Ophir for gold, but they did not go, for the ships were wrecked at Ezion-geber.” However, 2 Chronicles further explains “After this Jehoshaphat king of Judah joined with Ahaziah king of Israel, who acted wickedly. He joined him in building ships to go to Tarshish, and they built the ships in Ezion-geber. Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, ‘Because you have joined with Ahaziah, the Lord will destroy what you have made.’ And the ships were wrecked and were not able to go to Tarshish.” (2 Chronicles 20:35-37)

Jehoshaphat was a godly king who could have been so much more had he not trusted the wisdom of the world and become entangled in worldly alliances. I believe this is a VERY important lesson for the church today that we are largely missing. We do not have to separate or disengage from the world in order to remain holy; we can engage the world without allying with the world, becoming dependent on the world or mixing message with the world. Too often we believe that to influence the world, we must partner with the world, act like it, appeal to it, rely on it. The result: the church compromises its holiness and its witness.

In the ‘90s, The Clinton Administration reversed US foreign policy with China with his new policy of “constructive engagement” which was based on the notion that if we opened the doors of cooperation and partnership with China we would so influence them that they would be transformed and become a global champion of free trade and human rights. Clinton said, “And when it comes to advancing human rights and religious freedom, dealing directly and speaking honestly to the Chinese is clearly the best way to make a difference.” Today, the reader can decide how well this “constructive engagement” policy has changed China and strengthened the free word’s position. The reader can also decide how well the church’s partnership with the world has changed the world and strengthened the church’s position. Clinton said that there were only two possible approaches to China, “isolation” or “engagement” which was another word for “partnership” and “alliance.” Likewise, the church seems to see only two alternatives. Isn’t there a third alternative of engagement without compromise?

• Deuteronomy 15:6 — For the Lord your God will bless you, as he promised you, and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow, and you shall rule over many nations, but they shall not rule over you.

1 Kings 22:29-36 – So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead. And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your robes.” … But a certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel between the scale armor and the breastplate. … And about sunset he died.

Ahab thought he could outwit God’s decree by disguising himself. Yet a “random” arrow fulfilled God’s word precisely. In fact, what seemed to be a random act was in fact ordained by God to accomplish His purposes. God works daily in miraculous ways that are recognized by His people but viewed by others as mere chance or luck. Nothing can thwart the counsel of the Lord (Job 42:2). His sovereignty rules over even what seems accidental. Ahab’s stubbornness cost him his life, proving once again that God’s word never fails. You cannot hide from God and escape the judgment he has revealed, nor can anyone hinder His redemptive plan at work right now; the question is, will you join Him in it?

1 Kings 22:37-40 – So the king died, and was brought to Samaria. And they buried the king in Samaria. And they washed the chariot by the pool of Samaria, and the dogs licked up his blood … according to the word of the LORD that he had spoken.

The prophecy of Elijah in 1 Kings 21:19 is fulfilled to the letter. Ahab’s reign ends in shame, his blood licked by dogs. No earthly power or scheme can erase the certainty of God’s word. This demonstrates the justice of God and the certainty of His promises, both of judgment and of salvation.

1 Kings 22:39 – Now the rest of the acts of Ahab and all that he did, and the ivory house that he built and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?

Sinners may accomplish much, but it is ultimately meaningless.

1 Kings 22:43 — Yet the high places were not taken away, and the people still sacrificed and made offerings on the high places.

Though Jehoshaphat walked in the ways of the LORD, he did not challenge the sinful practices of the people, and this is viewed by God as a major failure by Jehoshaphat.

1 Kings 22:43 – He did not turn aside from it, doing what was right in the sight of the Lord. Yet the high places were not taken away, and the people still sacrificed and made offerings on the high places.

God expects consistent and complete obedience.

1 Kings 22:45 – Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, and his might that he showed, and how he warred, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?

God is interested in a leader’s relationship and obedience to Him rather than their famed accomplishments and reputation.

“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 29 September 2025: 1 Kings 22 teaches us the danger of compromise, the necessity of faithful truth-telling, and the certainty of God’s word. Jehoshaphat compromised by partnering with the wicked; Ahab rejected truth and perished; Micaiah stood firm regardless of cost. Today, practice unwavering obedience to God’s word even if it means rejection or unpopularity. Refuse to twist truth to please others, and guard against partnerships or decisions that compromise holiness. Ask yourself: in what area of my life am I tempted to disguise myself, compromise, or ignore God’s warnings? Step out in obedience, trusting that God’s word always proves true.

Pray: “Father, give me the courage of Micaiah to speak truth without fear, even when it costs me comfort, approval, or safety. Forgive me for the times I have compromised like Jehoshaphat or resisted correction like Ahab. Teach me to honor Your word as final and unshakable, to obey it fully, and to trust that every promise You speak will come to pass. Keep me from compromise with the world and strengthen me to walk faithfully with You, regardless of cost. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”