2 Chronicles 18

Commentary

In 2 Chronicles 18, we see King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah forming an alliance to fight against the Syrians. Jehoshaphat agrees to join forces with Ahab, despite the warnings of the prophet Micaiah. The two kings set out to battle, but Jehoshaphat insists that they seek the counsel of the Lord first. Ahab calls on 400 false prophets who all proclaim that the Lord will give them victory. Jehoshaphat is not convinced and requests that a true prophet of the Lord be consulted. Ahab reluctantly agrees and calls on Micaiah, who prophesies that the Lord will not give them victory. Despite this warning, Ahab and Jehoshaphat go to battle anyway. In the end, Ahab is killed and Jehoshaphat barely escapes with his life. This chapter serves as a warning to us all. We must always seek the counsel of the Lord before making any decisions, even if it means going against the advice of those around us. We must also be careful to discern between true and false prophets, and to trust in the Lord's guidance above all else.