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HISTORICAL SCENARIO

Text: 1 Kings 22
6 October 2009

(I) HISTORICAL SCENARIO

1. Syria

A common enemy of Israel and Judah (1 Kings 15:16)

King Benhadad

Coalition of 32 kings (Cf. 1 Kings 20:1)

2. Israel

a) Jeroboam/Nadab (1 Kings 13, 15)

b) Baasha/Elah (1 Kings 15)

c) Zimri (1 Kings 16)

d) Omri/Ahab (1 Kings 16-22)

3. Judah

a) Rehoboam (1 Kings 12)

b) Abijam (1 Kings 15) (War between Abijam and Jeroboam)

c) Asa (1 Kings 15:8) (War between Asa and Baasha)

i) Asa sought Syria’s help to battle Israel (1 Kings 15:18-21)

ii) Treaty with Syria against Israel

d) Jehoshaphat

(II) COMPLEX POLITICAL SCENARIO

1. No war between Syria and Israel (1 Kings 22:1)

2. Jehoshaphat visited Ahab (1 Kings 22:2)

3. Ahab proposes a joint campaign

Israel and Judah versus Syria

Target: Ramoth Gilead (1 Kings 22:3-4)

4. Jehoshaphat willingly considers this alliance (1 Kings 22:4b)

(III) REQUEST OF JEHOSHAPHAT

To inquire for the word of the Lord concerning this venture (1 King 22:5)

(IV) RESPONSE OF AHAB

1. He consulted his 400 prophets (he had replaced the slain false prophets) (1 Kings 22:6a)

2. His prophets answered in the affirmative (1 Kings 22:6b)

(V) SECOND REQUEST OF JEHOSHAPHAT

He wants to inquire from “a prophet of the LORD” (1 Kings 22:7)

(VI) SECOND RESPONSE OF AHAB

1. He names Micaiah, a true prophet of the Lord (1 Kings 22:8)

2. But declares that he hated Micaiah (1 Kings 22:8)

(VII) A ROYAL-PROPHETIC CONFERENCE

1. Venue

Entrance to Samaria

2. In attendance

a) The two kings

b) Ahab’s 400 prophets

c) Micaiah

3. Prophecy of Zedekiah and the cohort of 400 prophets

Victory against Benhadad, king of Syria (1 Kings 22:11-12)

4. Micaiah’s opinion was sought

a) First reply

Heavy sarcasm (1 Kings 22:15)

b) Second reply

Prophetic utterance (1 Kings 22:17)

Israel will be scattered

5. Ahab’s exasperation with Micaiah (1 Kings 22:16, 18)

(VIII) ALTERCATION BETWEEN ZEDEKIAH AND MICAIAH

1. Zedekiah assaults Micaiah (1 Kings 22:24)

2. Micaiah insults Zedekiah about his cowardice (1 Kings 22:25)

(IX) AHAB TAKES ACTION AGAINST MICAIAH

1. Ahab jailed Micaiah (1 Kings 22:26-27)

2. He would deal with him after he returned from battle against Syria

(X) MICAIAH’S FINAL WORD

Ahab will not return in peace! (1 Kings 22:28)

(XI) BATTLE WITH THE SYRIANS

1. Ahab was killed in battle (by a random arrow) (1 Kings 22:34-35)

2. He was buried in Samaria (1 Kings 22:37)

3. His bloodstains were washed from his chariot and the dogs came to lick the blood (1 Kings 22:38)

4. Israel was scattered (1 Kings 22:36)

5. Ahaziah, Ahab’s son reigned in his place (1 Kings 22:40)