2 Samuel 22
1 Kings 22 begins with King Ahab of the northern kingdom of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of the southern kingdom of Judah forming an alliance to reclaim Ramoth Gilead. This chapter can be divided into three major parts. First, there is the scene where Ahab prepares for war together with Jehoshaphat and asks for God’s will (verses 1–28). Second, there is the battle at Ramoth Gilead and the death of King Ahab (verses 29–40). Third, it consists of a brief introduction to the reign of King Jehoshaphat of Judah and King Ahaziah of Israel (verses 41–53).
1verseDavid spoke to the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul,
2verseand he said: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, even mine;
3verseGod is my rock in whom I take refuge; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge. My savior, you save me from violence.
4verseI call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.
5verseFor the waves of death surrounded me. The floods of ungodliness made me afraid.
6verseThe cords of Sheol were around me. The snares of death caught me.
7verseIn my distress, I called on the LORD. Yes, I called to my God. He heard my voice out of his temple. My cry came into his ears.
8verseThen the earth shook and trembled. The foundations of heaven quaked and were shaken, because he was angry.
9verseSmoke went up out of his nostrils. Consuming fire came out of his mouth. Coals were kindled by it.
10verseHe bowed the heavens also, and came down. Thick darkness was under his feet.
11verseHe rode on a cherub, and flew. Yes, he was seen on the wings of the wind.
12verseHe made darkness a shelter around himself, gathering of waters, and thick clouds of the skies.
13verseAt the brightness before him, coals of fire were kindled.
14verseThe LORD thundered from heaven. The Most High uttered his voice.
15verseHe sent out arrows and scattered them, lightning and confused them.
16verseThen the channels of the sea appeared. The foundations of the world were laid bare by the LORD’s rebuke, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.
17verseHe sent from on high and he took me. He drew me out of many waters.
18verseHe delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me.
19verseThey came on me in the day of my calamity, but the LORD was my support.
20verseHe also brought me out into a large place. He delivered me, because he delighted in me.
21verseThe LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness. He rewarded me according to the cleanness of my hands.
22verseFor I have kept the LORD’s ways, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
23verseFor all his ordinances were before me. As for his statutes, I didn’t depart from them.
24verseI was also perfect toward him. I kept myself from my iniquity.
25verseTherefore the LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, According to my cleanness in his eyesight.
26verseWith the merciful you will show yourself merciful. With the perfect man you will show yourself perfect.
27verseWith the pure you will show yourself pure. With the crooked you will show yourself shrewd.
28verseYou will save the afflicted people, but your eyes are on the arrogant, that you may bring them down.
29verseFor you are my lamp, LORD. The LORD will light up my darkness.
30verseFor by you, I run against a troop. By my God, I leap over a wall.
31verseAs for God, his way is perfect. The LORD’s word is tested. He is a shield to all those who take refuge in him.
32verseFor who is God, besides the LORD? Who is a rock, besides our God?
33verseGod is my strong fortress. He makes my way perfect.
34verseHe makes his feet like hinds’ feet, and sets me on my high places.
35verseHe teaches my hands to war, so that my arms bend a bow of bronze.
36verseYou have also given me the shield of your salvation. Your gentleness has made me great.
37verseYou have enlarged my steps under me. My feet have not slipped.
38verseI have pursued my enemies and destroyed them. I didn’t turn again until they were consumed.
39verseI have consumed them, and struck them through, so that they can’t arise. Yes, they have fallen under my feet.
40verseFor you have armed me with strength for the battle. You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.
41verseYou have also made my enemies turn their backs to me, that I might cut off those who hate me.
42verseThey looked, but there was no one to save; even to the LORD, but he didn’t answer them.
43verseThen I beat them as small as the dust of the earth. I crushed them as the mire of the streets, and spread them abroad.
44verseYou also have delivered me from the strivings of my people. You have kept me to be the head of the nations. A people whom I have not known will serve me.
45verseThe foreigners will submit themselves to me. As soon as they hear of me, they will obey me.
46verseThe foreigners will fade away, and will come trembling out of their close places.
47verseThe LORD lives! Blessed be my rock! Exalted be God, the rock of my salvation,
48verseeven the God who executes vengeance for me, who brings down peoples under me,
49versewho brings me away from my enemies. Yes, you lift me up above those who rise up against me. You deliver me from the violent man.
50verseTherefore I will give thanks to you, LORD, among the nations, and will sing praises to your name.
51verseHe gives great deliverance to his king, and shows loving kindness to his anointed, to David and to his offspring, forever more.”
The Process of Seeking God’s Will
Ahab gathers many prophets to hear the kind of prophecy he wants, but Jehoshaphat requests a true prophecy and calls for a prophet named Micaiah. Contrary to Ahab’s expectations, Micaiah prophesies that Ahab will lose the battle. This scene shows the pattern that appears when human desires clash with God’s will, and it suggests that the genuine voice of God is sometimes different from the multitude’s voices.
War and God’s Judgment
Ahab ignores Micaiah’s prophecy and goes ahead with the battle. He tries to disguise himself to avoid his death, but he is grievously wounded by a chance arrow and ultimately dies in battle. This shows that human methods cannot avert the judgment God has already declared. Also, the scene after the war where dogs lick up Ahab’s blood at the place where his body was washed confirms that an earlier word from God (1 Kings 21:19) has been fulfilled.
The Records and Transmission of the Kings
After Ahab’s death, there follows a brief assessment of the reign of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, and of Ahaziah, king of Israel. Jehoshaphat is regarded as a comparatively righteous king, yet his weakness revealed in his alliance with Ahab may be pointed out. By contrast, Ahaziah is recorded as a king who worshiped idols and did evil before God, continuing on after Ahab. This suggests that both the kingdom of Israel and the kingdom of Judah are moving toward a path of spiritual decline.
Meditation Points
- You can compare the desire to truly seek God’s will with the desire to distort God’s will in order to achieve your own wants.
- You can also think again about the importance of truth grounded in God’s Word, since the majority’s opinion is not necessarily correct.
- In our lives, we can reflect on how seriously we take God’s warnings.
Applying It to Me
- When making a decision, let’s examine whether we are asking for God’s will while not actually wanting to hear the answer we desire.
- Let us realize that even small disobedience cannot ultimately avoid God’s judgment, and let us resolve to live a life of sincere obedience.
- Today, amid the many voices of the world, let us make a decision to hold on to faith that seeks to live by discerning God’s voice.
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