1 Kings: Walk Before Me Faithfullyنموونە

Even though we have seen Ahab’s intransigence against God’s word, it is also astonishing that Jehoshaphat so easily agrees to Ahab’s ploy to be dressed in royal robes, while Ahab goes into battle in disguise. Doesn’t Jehoshaphat sense any danger? 

The king of Aram’s target is clear: Ahab (v. 31). While Jehoshaphat is providentially spared, an archer’s arrow ‘at random’ strikes the disguised Ahab and he dies (vv. 34–35). Micaiah’s word comes true, as does the word of Elijah in chapter 21 that dogs would lick up Ahab’s blood (v. 38). And so ends the pathetic reign of Ahab, though his evil widow still remains until a later day. 

Yet again we see the sovereignty of God’s word, which never returns to him empty. Manipulating God’s word does not pay off. Ahab’s deception comes to nothing. The word of God remains powerful, ruling over not only God’s people but also the world. We are challenged once more to consider whether we value the power and authority of God’s word sufficiently. Our world derides God and his word. Christians face frequent pressures to water it down or abandon it. The Books of Kings have shown us repeatedly that we do so at our peril. 

Though a good king of Judah, Jehoshaphat also fails to remove the Canaanite high places (v. 43). Ahab’s son, Ahaziah, perpetuates the sins of Israel’s first king, Jeroboam son of Nebat (v. 52). How much more is needed for hearts to change – for true repentance and a desire for godliness? What sort of king will it take to get God’s people right? What sort of prophet is needed to get God’s word obeyed? 

The Books of Kings display kings, prophets and the word of God to us. All three foci drive us to Jesus, the great Davidic king, the perfect prophet and the powerful word incarnate. But he is even more: by the power of his death on the cross and his resurrection, he cleanses and transforms people by his powerful Spirit, writing his powerful word on hearts.

Reflection

Give thanks for Jesus, the perfect and powerful Davidic king, the prophet like Moses and the word incarnate.