1 Kings 22:1-18
Benhadad did not keep his word (1 Kings 20:34). He held on to Ramoth-gilead. Ahab has a scheme to retake it and makes known his proposal to an illustrious visitor staying with him: Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. What are our first thoughts about this visit? Does it not gladden our hearts to see friendship established between the sovereigns of these two kingdoms, in conflict for so long? It is one step towards union, an attitude much in vogue today in Christendom. In reality, in God’s eyes, it amounts to unfaithfulness on Jehoshaphat’s part. He was king at Jerusalem where the temple of the LORD was found. Ahab on the other hand was an idolater. "What agreement", asks the apostle, "hath the temple of God with idols?" (2 Corinthians 6:16). How could the king of Judah so far forget himself as to say, "I am as thou art . . ."?
See how deeply poor Jehoshaphat lets himself become enmeshed. Ill at ease, he makes a few timid remarks to Ahab, but he has not the necessary energy to oppose his plans. He would have needed more courage to do that than to make war against the Syrians. Each one of us surely knows from experience that the most difficult action, demanding most courage, is often a simple refusal, a refusal to associate with evil (Psalms 1:1).