A Journey through the Bible with Tiglath

71. The Second Book of Chronicles, Chapters 16 to 18

The first part of chapter 16 describes how in the thirty sixth year of the reign

of Asa the army of Israel, led by Baaska built a place called Ramah to cut off

Asa from the outside world. To counteract this Asa made an alliance with

Syria. The Syrian army defeated the Israelites and Asa was enabled to destroy

Ramah. Verses 7 -9 describe how Hanani the seer takes Asa to task because

he has relied on Syria and not on the Lord. This makes Asa very angry and he

had Hanani put in prison. The last years of Asa's life were very troubled. He

had a disease in his feet and, instead of turning to the Lord for help, he turned

to the physicians, who at that time relied on magic. After reigning for 41

years Asa died and was honoured by his people.

We now come to the reign of Jehosaphat, which is covered in chapters 17 to

20. He was a good king and followed David in his love of the Lord. Chapter

17 tells us that he sent Levites to teach his people the law.

Jehosaphat seems to have been respected by the

nations around him, as described in verses 10 - 11.

He built castles and cities and also a mighty army,

although the numbers of men given seem somewhat

High.

In chapter 18 we find Jehosaphat going to visit Ahab,

king of Israel. Ahab's wife was Jezebel. Jehosaphat

at this time had an alliance with Ahab, who was anxious to do battle at

Ramothgilead. He asked Jehosaphat to join him. He agreed but first wished to

consult the Lord to see if they would defeat their enemy. Four hundred

prophets were gathered together and asked their opinion. They said, in chapter

5: 'go up, for God will deliver it into the king's hand'. Jehosaphat was still

cautious. He probably thought that the seers were saying what the kings

wished them to say. He therefore asked Ahab if there was a prophet of the

Lord who would give them his opinion. Ahab said there was, but he hated the

man because he never prophesied good for him. Verses 8-16 tell how this

prophet, Micaiah, dealt with the situation. The prophet advised Ahab and

Jehosaphat to attack Ramothgilead but also said that, in a vision, he had seen

the Israelite army scattered like stray sheep without a master. He was

indicating that Ahab would be killed in battle. Ahab's response was to have

the prophet imprisoned, where he was given bread and water.

The last part of chapter 18 describes the outcome of the battle for

Ramothgilead. Ahab disguises himself, and Jehosaphat dons Ahab's robes.

They are fighting the Syrians, whose king tells his officers to concentrate on

killing Ahab, king of Israel. At first Jehoshaphat was attacked in error, but

God saved him. Meanwhile a young man drew his bow and shot an arrow

aimlessly. It went straight between the joints of Ahab's chariot-harness and

wounded him. He died at sunset, still in his chariot.

We continue with Jehosaphat's reign next month.