Day 123 · Part 8: Two Kingdoms
Micaiah and Jehoshaphat (1 of 2)
In the Story
In context
Jehoshaphat son of Asa, king of Judah, sends officials, Levites and priests through Judah’s cities to teach, “having the book of Yahweh’s law with them” (2 Chronicles 17:7–9). He is at peace with Ahab (1 Kings 22:44), and the two kings go up together to take Ramoth Gilead, east of the Jordan, a city of refuge Moses had set apart (22:3–4; Deuteronomy 4:43).
Ahab’s four hundred prophets say, “Go up.” Jehoshaphat asks for “a prophet of Yahweh,” and Micaiah son of Imlah, whom Ahab hates, says, “what Yahweh says to me, that I will speak” (1 Kings 22:6–14). He sees Israel “scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd,” the very thing Moses had asked the Lord to spare his people (22:17; Numbers 27:17). He tells of a vision of the Lord on his throne, where a spirit offers to be “a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets” (1 Kings 22:19–23).
Ahab goes into battle disguised, and an arrow shot “at random” strikes him “between the joints of the armor.” It is a hard reading: he dies at evening, and dogs lick up his blood, “according to Yahweh’s word” (22:30–38; 21:19). Jehoshaphat’s ships, built to sail to Ophir for gold, are wrecked at Ezion Geber, a port on the Red Sea (22:48).
Jesus went about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them because they were harassed and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd.
Matthew 9:35–36 · Micaiah saw Israel “as sheep that have no shepherd”; Matthew says Jesus saw the crowds “like sheep without a shepherd” and was moved with compassion.
In the Bible
World English Bible, as published by eBible.org (public domain).
1 Kings 22
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2 Chronicles 17
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A hymn for today
Trust and Obey · words by John H. Sammis
- When we walk with the LordIn the light of His word,What a glory He sheds on our way!While we do His good will,He abides with us still,And with all who will trust and obey.RefrainTrust and obey,For there's no other wayTo be happy in Jesus,But to trust and obey.
- Not a shadow can rise,Not a cloud in the skies,But His smile quickly drives it away;Not a doubt nor a fear,Not a sigh nor a tear,Can abide while we trust and obey.RefrainTrust and obey,For there's no other wayTo be happy in Jesus,But to trust and obey.
- Not a burden we bear,Not a sorrow we share,But our toil He doth richly repay;Not a grief nor a loss,Not a frown nor a cross,But is blest if we trust and obey.RefrainTrust and obey,For there's no other wayTo be happy in Jesus,But to trust and obey.
- But we never can proveThe delights of His loveUntil all on the altar we lay;For the favor He shows,And the joy He bestows,Are for all who will trust and obey.RefrainTrust and obey,For there's no other wayTo be happy in Jesus,But to trust and obey.
- Then in fellowship sweetWe will sit at His feet,Or we'll walk by His side in the way;What He says we will do,Where He sends we will go;Never fear, only trust and obey.RefrainTrust and obey,For there's no other wayTo be happy in Jesus,But to trust and obey.