Study Desk

There was a strong sense of the fear of God in all the kingdoms around Judah—they didn't dare go to war against Jehoshaphat. Some Philistines even brought gifts and a load of silver to Jehoshaphat, and the desert bedouin brought flocks—7,700 rams and 7,700 goats. So Jehoshaphat became stronger by the day, and constructed more and more forts and store-cities—an age of prosperity for Judah!

He also had excellent fighting men stationed in Jerusalem. The captains of the military units of Judah, classified according to families, were: Captain Adnah with 300,000 soldiers; his associate Captain Jehohanan with 280,000; his associate Amasiah son of Zicri, a volunteer for God , with 200,000. Officer Eliada represented Benjamin with 200,000 fully equipped with bow and shield; and his associate was Jehozabad with 180,000 armed and ready for battle. These were under the direct command of the king; in addition there were the troops assigned to the fortress cities spread all over Judah.

Then Jehoshaphat said, "But before you do anything, ask God for guidance."

The king of Israel got the prophets together—all four hundred of them—and put the question to them: "Should I attack Ramoth Gilead or should I hold back?" "Go for it," they said. "God will hand it over to the king."

But Jehoshaphat dragged his feet, "Is there another prophet of God around here we can consult? Let's get a second opinion."

Meanwhile, the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat were seated on their thrones, dressed in their royal robes, resplendent in front of the Samaria city gates. All the prophets were staging a prophecy-performance for their benefit. Zedekiah son of Kenaanah had even made a set of iron horns, and brandishing them, called out, " God 's word! With these horns you'll gore Aram until there's nothing left of them!" All the prophets chimed in, "Yes! Go for Ramoth Gilead! An easy victory! God 's gift to the king!"

But Micaiah said, "As sure as God lives, what God says, I'll say."

"All right," said Micaiah, "since you insist... I saw all of Israel scattered over the hills, sheep with no shepherd. Then God spoke, ‘These poor people have no one to tell them what to do. Let them go home and do the best they can for themselves.'"

The king of Israel turned to Jehoshaphat, "See! What did I tell you? He never has a good word for me from God , only doom."

Micaiah kept on, "I'm not done yet; listen to God 's word: I saw God enthroned, and all the Angel Armies of heaven standing at attention, ranged on his right and his left. And God said, "How can we seduce Ahab into attacking Ramoth Gilead?" Some said this, and some said that. Then a bold angel stepped out, stood before God , and said, "I'll seduce him." "And how will you do it?" said God . "Easy," said the angel, "I'll get all the prophets to lie." "That should do it," said God ; "On your way—seduce him!"

"And that's what has happened. God filled the mouths of your puppet prophets with seductive lies. God has pronounced your doom."

Just then Zedekiah son of Kenaanah came up and slapped Micaiah in the face, saying, "Since when did the Spirit of God leave me and take up with you?"

Micaiah said, If you ever get back in one piece, I'm no prophet of God . He added, When it happens, O people, remember where you heard it!

When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they said, "There he is! The king of Israel!" and took after him. Jehoshaphat yelled out, and the chariot commanders realized they had the wrong man—it wasn't the king of Israel after all. God intervened and they let him go.

But Jehoshaphat king of Judah got home safe and sound. Jehu, son of Hanani the seer, confronted King Jehoshaphat: "You have no business helping evil, cozying up to God -haters. Because you did this, God is good and angry with you. But you're not all bad—you made a clean sweep of the polluting sex-and-religion shrines; and you were single-minded in seeking God."

Jehoshaphat kept his residence in Jerusalem but made a regular round of visits among the people, from Beersheba in the south to Mount Ephraim in the north, urging them to return to God , the God of their ancestors.

And he was diligent in appointing judges in the land—each of the fortress cities had its judge. He charged the judges: "This is serious work; do it carefully. You are not merely judging between men and women; these are God 's judgments that you are passing on. Live in the fear of God —be most careful, for God hates dishonesty, partiality, and bribery."

In Jerusalem Jehoshaphat also appointed Levites, priests, and family heads to decide on matters that had to do with worship and mediating local differences. He charged them: "Do your work in the fear of God ; be dependable and honest in your duties. When a case comes before you involving any of your fellow citizens, whether it seems large (like murder) or small (like matters of interpretation of the law), you are responsible for warning them that they are dealing with God . Make that explicit, otherwise both you and they are going to be dealing with God 's wrath. Do your work well or you'll end up being as guilty as they are.

"Amariah the chief priest is in charge of all cases regarding the worship of God ; Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the leader of the tribe of Judah, is in charge of all civil cases; the Levites will keep order in the courts. Be bold and diligent. And God be with you as you do your best."

Shaken, Jehoshaphat prayed. He went to God for help and ordered a nationwide fast. The country of Judah united in seeking God 's help—they came from all the cities of Judah to pray to God .