Confession: I am a people-pleaser, which means I often put people on the throne of my life when, in reality, that is God’s rightful place. I know this truth, but I still fall into worrying about what people think of me, my words, and my actions.
But people-pleasing was apparently not much of an issue for the prophet Micaiah, who was perfectly fine with upsetting evil King Ahab—he only wanted to please and honor God. Ahab isn’t too fond of Micaiah’s prophesying, admitting to Jehosophat, “There is still one man who can inquire of the Lord, but I hate him because he never prophesies good about me, but only disaster” (1 Kings 22:8).
Knowing this to be true, Ahab’s servant “who went to call Micaiah instructed him, ‘Look, the words of the prophets are unanimously favorable for the king. So let your words be like theirs, and speak favorably’” (v.13). The messenger wanted the Lord’s prophet to choose to side with the majority, to make things easy. But to Micaiah, the choice was not his to make. “As the LORD lives,” he says, “I will say whatever the LORD says to me” (v.14).
Ahab called four hundred prophets to assure him he would be victorious in battle—four hundred prophets who had been instructed by a lying, evil spirit to tell King Ahab what he wanted to hear: that he would be successful (vv.20–23). But Jehosophat, the king of Judah who’d been witness to all of this, did not trust them, which is why he’d asked to see “a prophet of the LORD” in the first place (v.7).
Upon his arrival, “Micaiah told him, ‘March up and succeed. The LORD will hand it over to the king”—a message Ahab doesn’t believe because he doesn’t like the messenger (vv.15–16). And that’s when the Lord allows Micaiah to pull back the curtain to reveal Ahab’s true fate: “You see, the LORD has put a lying spirit into the mouth of all these prophets of yours, and the LORD has pronounced disaster against you” (vv.17,19–23). But Ahab does not listen, and he dies in battle (vv.29–38).
Micaiah stood against the word of four hundred other prophets. He spoke the truth boldly to Ahab, who hated him. And he declared before them all, “I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and the whole heavenly army was standing by him at his right hand and at his left hand” (1 Kings 22:19). Micaiah chose to be obedient to the Lord who is enthroned above all kingdoms and rulers, all powers and principalities (Colossians 1:16; Ephesians 6:12; 1:20–23).
This is our reality as well, even when we choose to put someone or something else on the throne of our lives, elevating them above Him in our hearts. The truth of who God is does not change. He still graciously pursues us, drawing us into repentance, offering His mercy again and again, even in the midst of our sin (Romans 5:8). The one who has power over all shows compassion to those who fear Him (Psalm 103:12–13). “Bless the LORD, all his works in all the places where he rules. My soul, bless the LORD!” (v.22)
Kimberly Girard is a well-loved child of God, wife of an extraordinary man, mother of three amazing kids, and writer living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. You can find her at Loud Singing and on Twitter.
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13 thoughts on "Judgment on Ahab"
Im working on no longer people pleasing but God pleasing
I know that I can be a people pleaser, and I pray that I would only seek to please you Jesus.
This is our reality as well, even when we choose to put someone or something else on the throne of our lives, elevating them above Him in our hearts. The truth of who God is does not change. He still graciously pursues us, drawing us into repentance, offering His mercy again and again, even in the midst of our sin (Romans 5:8). The one who has power over all shows compassion to those who fear Him (Psalm 103:12–13). “Bless the LORD, all his works in all the places where he rules. My soul, bless the LORD!” (v.22)
Lord you love us so much that you continue to pursue us even when we turn our hearts against you.
“My soul, bless the Lord!” Wow. I joined these readings for the entirety of the last book “I Am” and my heart is bursting with the beauty of the Word. I’ve been feeling shy to post, but tonight I felt pulled to make my presence known. I have been drawn back to God in the past month or two after about 26 years of meandering, truly lost in a fog. The Word is calling to me. I watch the beautiful Autumn leaves on the hills behind my house each morning as I do dishes and even that feels holy, sacred. I’m finally getting it! How is this possible?! How could I not have known? I can feel him in my heart. Thank you, Jesus for your presence. Thank you, ladies for all that you share here. I’m gaining so much…I hope I may share with you soon. Kings has been difficult for me…so overwhelming…the greed and anger. I will continue on because I finally feel I’m exactly where I need to be.
Welcome. Praise God that He has continued to pursue you.
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And why are we compelled to stand with Micaiah in today’s world? Because our hearts were meant for spiritual truth! It satisfies our soul. Did I start out here? Oh, no!! Thank you Living Lord Jesus for having mercy and making the necessary changes. Courage, dear heart, courage. One of my favorite phrases from C.S. Lewis.
Angie, I agree with you, that our family too, will be spirit-filled in truth, holiness, and wisdom as we live a legacy for the future generations.
Whose voice do we hear? Are we listening to ourselves or others? Are we listening for the new trend? Hopefully, we are all listening to and for the voice of our LORD. We hear His voice during times of prayer, when we truly study His Word, through hymns, and through wise counsel.
May our God quiet our minds and hearts so that we will hear His voice. May our God meet us when we pray and speak through His Word when we study the deep mysteries of His Word.
What God says, will be.
“You will win the battle against King Ben-hadad and 32 other kings,” and he does.
“You will die in battle,” and although Ahab sends the godly King Jehoshaphat ahead as a decoy, and disguises himself, Ahab dies in battle.
Micaiah’s obedience to speak only what the LORD tells him – wonderful, powerful
But he said, “I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and the whole heavenly army was standing by him at his right hand and at his left hand,”…can you imagine! YES! We will see the LORD on his throne one day. We will see his army on his right and left. Imagine, anticipate…YES!
And, I breathe a sigh of relief at the words about Jehoshaphat…”He walked in all the ways of his father Asa; he did not turn away from them but did what was right in the LORD’s sight. May it be true of my walk, my children, and grandchildren’s walk LORD God. May we walk with you and bring you honor.
As Kimberly writes, How graciously He pursues us , drawing us into repentance, and offering us His mercy again and again in the midst of our sin. There is no other love like His. Let that sink in, humble, and change us! There is a great teaching series on the Lord’s Prayer at http://www.gospelinlife.com. It starts at episode 306. This series goes line by line through the prayer, but incorporates other scriptures. The series teaches so much, but also highlights the mercy, forgiveness, and the incomparable love of God. It’s worth listening to. Here is a link to two of the messages: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/timothy-keller-sermons-podcast-by-gospel-in-life/id352660924?i=1000453874757
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/timothy-keller-sermons-podcast-by-gospel-in-life/id352660924?i=1000454052831
So much conflict in these chapters. So many characters and their positions to identify and track. All in an attempt to get the account straight. Bottom line for me : choose your counselors wisely. The omniscient mind of God spoken through man is to be desired more than a man speaking out of his own finite mind. Value the word of God above all. Listen, trust and obey. There are consequences to choices.
I agree. Conflict and confusion in these chapters. 1. Keep Him first 2. Chose wise counsel
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