From df88837695da808ee7beb128dc302bbafe75e030 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Lyle Mantooth Date: Fri, 7 Feb 2025 09:04:34 -0500 Subject: [PATCH] 2 Chronicles 18:1-8 --- content/bible_journal/2chronicles/18:1-8.md | 29 +++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 29 insertions(+) create mode 100644 content/bible_journal/2chronicles/18:1-8.md diff --git a/content/bible_journal/2chronicles/18:1-8.md b/content/bible_journal/2chronicles/18:1-8.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e271f27 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/bible_journal/2chronicles/18:1-8.md @@ -0,0 +1,29 @@ ++++ +title = "2 Chronicles 18:1–8" +date = "2025-02-07" ++++ + +### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/2Chronicles18.1-8) + +While Jehoshaphat had been doing well, this chapter marks the beginning of his decline. +Verse 1 tells us he made a marriage alliance with Ahab the king of Israel. +That is, Jeshophat's son Jehoram married Ahab's daughter Athaliah (whose mother was Jezebel). +These names aren't important now, but time marches on and they will be later. + +As part of the alliance, Jehoshaphat makes a state visit to Samaria, Israel's capital. +Ahab asks him to help take back the city of Ramoth-gilead, which Syria had taken over previously. +Jehoshaphat agrees, but then asks if they can inquire of the Lord what they should do and how they should go. +He really should have done that first, before any dealings with Ahab at all. + +Ahab calls together four hundred prophets who all give the same prediction: go and be successful. +Now, if these were indeed prophets of God, we should expect them to have the same message; the Lord is consistent and truthful. +However, Jehoshaphat is suspicious and asks if there is anyone else who can ask of the Lord. +I am suspicious too. +These prophets are not the same as the 450 priests of Baal defeated and killed at Mt. Carmel, but *maybe* they are the "400 prophets of Asherah who ate at Jezebel's table". ([_1 Kings 18:16_](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1Kings18.16)) +The Mt. Carmel incident should have happened before this (1 Kings 22 is our parallel passage, which comes after 1 Kings 18), but while Elijah invited both groups of prophets to the god contest, the text only mentions the prophets of Baal showing up. +Whatever reason Jehoshaphat had for not trusting the 400 prophets, Ahab admits there is a prophet of Yahweh, but says Micaiah only ever says bad things about him. +Even still, Micaiah is summoned to give the kings their answer from the Lord. + +* * * + +Let us be wise in who we yoke ourselves to, so that we do not follow fools into their destruction.