The Death of Ahab

INTRODUCTION: In this chapter, God fulfills His judgment on Ahab. He does so partly by having Ahab’s prophets tell him what he wants to hear. Jehoshaphat, the righteous king of Judah, makes affinity with Ahab while he is seeking word from the true God. But then, for the sake of his friendship with the world, he continues to follow Ahab against the word of the Lord and almost loses his own life.

1. AHAB AND JEHOSHAPHAT JOINED FORCES (1 Kings 22:1-6)
1. A Time of Peace (1 Kings 22:1)
1. The length of peace 3 years
2. The participants of peace Syria and Israel
2. A Confederacy (1 Kings 22:2-4; 2 Chronicles 18:1; 2 Chronicles 19:1-3)
1. Jehoshaphat went to see Ahab (1 Kings 22:2).
2. Ahab announced his intentions to take Ramoth (1 Kings 22:3).
3. Ahab asked Jehoshaphat to unite with him (1 Kings 22:4).
4. Jehoshaphat agreed to help Israel (1 Kings 22:4).
3. The Formality of Seeking God (1 Kings 22:5-6)
1. Jehoshaphat suggested that they enquire of the Lord (1 Kings 22:5).
2. Ahab gathered the prophets together (1 Kings 22:6).
1. They enquired of the prophets concerning the battle.
2. The prophets declared that the Lord would give the victory.
3. Note: These prophets may have been the prophets of the groves mentioned in 1 Kings 18:19.
2. JESHOSHAPHAT SOUGHT A PROPHET OF GOD (1 Kings 22:7-14)
1. Micaiah, the Prophet of God (1 Kings 22:7-9)
1. Jehoshaphat requested a prophet of the Lord (1 Kings 22:7).
2. Ahab indicated that Micaiah was the prophet of the Lord (1 Kings 22:8).
1. Ahab hated him.
2. He would not prophesy good concerning Ahab.
3. Ahab sent for Micaiah (1 Kings 22:9).
2. The Instructions Given to Micaiah (1 Kings 22:10-14)
1. Both kings ascended to their thrones (1 Kings 22:10).
2. All the prophets prophesied before them (1 Kings 22:10-12).
1. Zedekiah prophesied victory (1 Kings 22:11).
2. The remainder of the prophets agreed (1 Kings 22:12).
3. Micaiah was encouraged to agree with the prophets (1 Kings 22:13).
4. Micaiah said he would speak what the Lord said (1 Kings 22:14).
3. MICAIAH PROPHESIED AGAINST THE CAMPAIGN (1 Kings 22:15-28)
1. Micaiah Gave the Word of the Lord (1 Kings 22:15-18).
1. Micaiah was asked concerning the battle (1 Kings 22:15).
2. Micaiah gave the answer that he was instructed to give (1 Kings 22:15).
3. The king rebuked Micaiah for his answer (1 Kings 22:16).
4. Micaiah responded according to the word of the Lord (1 Kings 22:17).
1. He saw Israel scattered upon the hills.
2. They were as sheep having no shepherd.
5. Micaiahs answer disturbed the king (1 Kings 22:18).
2. Micaiah Explained the Prophecies (1 Kings 22:19-23).
1. Micaiah described the scene in heaven (1 Kings 22:19).
1. The LORD was sitting upon His throne.
2. All the host of heaven was standing by Him.
2. The Lord sought to persuade Ahab to go to battle (1 Kings 22:20).
3. Different spirits offered their assistance (1 Kings 22:20).
4. One spirit offered to persuade Ahab through the mouth of the false prophets (1 Kings 22:21-22).
5. The Lord told the spirit to do so (1 Kings 22:22-23).
3. Micaiah Received the Judgment of Ahab (1 Kings 22:24-28).
1. Zedekiah smote Micaiah (1 Kings 22:24).
2. Micaiah prophesied to Zedekiah (1 Kings 22:25).
3. Ahab ordered for Micaiah to be imprisoned (1 Kings 22:26-27).
4. Micaiah stood behind the word of the Lord (1 Kings 22:28).
4. AHAB DIED IN THE BATTLE AGAINST SYRIA (1 Kings 22:29-40)
1. Ahab Disguised Himself for the Battle (1 Kings 22:29-30).
1. Both kings went up to Ramoth-gilead (1 Kings 22:29).
2. Ahab disguised himself before entering into battle (1 Kings 22:30).
2. The King of Syria Targeted Ahab (1 Kings 22:31-33).
1. The captains of Syria were instructed to fight against Ahab (1 Kings 22:31).
2. The captains pursued Jehoshaphat thinking he was Ahab (1 Kings 22:32).
3. The captains learned it was not Ahab and turned back (1 Kings 22:33).
3. Ahab Was Killed in the Battle (1 Kings 22:34-36).
1. Ahab was hit by an arrow (1 Kings 22:34).
2. Ahab died at even (1 Kings 22:35).
3. A proclamation of retreat went throughout the host (1 Kings 22:36).
4. The Reign of Ahab Was Completed (1 Kings 22:37-40).
1. Ahab was buried in Samaria (1 Kings 22:37).
2. One washed the chariot (1 Kings 22:38).
3. The dogs licked the blood of Ahab (1 Kings 22:38; 1 Kings 21:19).
4. Ahaziah reigned in the stead of Ahab (1 Kings 22:40).
5. JEHOSHAPHAT REIGNED OVER JUDAH (1 Kings 22:41-50); his reign is dealt with in 2 Chronicles 17-20.
1. The Reign of Jehoshaphat (1 Kings 22:41-42)
2. The Acts of Jehoshaphat (1 Kings 22:43-49)
1. Jehoshaphats successes
1. He did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord (1 Kings 22:43).
2. He removed the sodomites from the land (1 Kings 22:46).
3. He refused fellowship with Ahaziah (1 Kings 22:47-49).
2. Jehoshaphats failures
1. The high places were not taken away (1 Kings 22:43).
2. He made peace with Ahab (1 Kings 22:44).
3. The Death of Jehoshaphat (1 Kings 22:50)
6. AZARIAH REIGNED OVER ISRAEL AFTER AHAB (1 Kings 22:51-53)
1. The Reign of Ahaziah (1 Kings 22:51)
2. The Evil of Ahaziah (1 Kings 22:52-53)

CONCLUSION: God keeps His word in bringing judgment to Ahab. Even the details of Ahab’s death fulfill the judgment that God ordained. Sin never prevails in the end.