2 Kings 1 - Introduction

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

FAITHLESS KINGS AND FEARLESS PROPHETS

1 Kings 22:1 to 2 Kings 1:18

With the exception of only ten verses, this unit of the text is concerned about two faithless kingsfather and sonAhab and Ahaziah. Both of these monarchs met their death in fulfillment of the prophetic word spoken to them by the fearless prophets Micaiah and Elijah. The material here may be discussed under two major headings: (1) faithless Ahab and fearless Micaiah (1 Kings 22:1-40); and (2) faithless Ahaziah and fearless Elijah (1 Kings 22:51 -2 Kings 1:18). Sandwiched in between these major blocks of material is a paragraph summarizing the reign of good King Jehoshaphat of Judah (1 Kings 22:41-50).

REVIEW OF CHAPTER FIFTEEN

I. FACTS TO MASTER

A. Important persons to identify in relation to this chapter:

1. Benhadad

4. Jehoshaphat

2. Ahab

5. Micaiah

3. Elijah

6. Zedekiah

7. Amon

10. Ahaziah

8. Joash

11. Baal-zebub

9. Azubah

B. Important places to be identified in relation to this chap ter:

1. Samaria

4. Moab

2. Ramoth-gilead

5. Ophir

3. Edom

6. Ezion-geber

C. Important numbers to remember:

1.

Number of prophets serving in Ahab's court

2.

Number of chariot captains in Benhadad's army

D. Words and phrases which should bring back to remem brance important events in this chapter:

1. horns of iron

5. broken ships

2. thrones

6. girdle of leather

3. scattered sheep

7. heavenly fire

4. deceiving spirit

8. an angel

II. QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1.

What two contrasting attitudes toward prophetism are illustrated by Ahab and Jehoshaphat?

2.

What motivated the four hundred court prophets to encourage Ahab to undertake the campaign against Ramoth-gilead? By what means did these prophets attempt to convince Jehoshaphat that the campaign was the will of God?

3.

What qualities in the life of Micaiah would a preacher do well to imitate today? What about his use of sarcasm?

4.

What theological problems are raised by Micaiah's second vision?

5.

By what means did God convince Ahab to go up to Ramoth-gilead to meet his death? How is it that a holy God can employ such devious means?

6.

Who was the deceiving spirit who filled the mouths of Ahab's prophets?

7.

What mistakes characterized the reign of Jehoshaphat? In what way are many modern religious leaders like Jehoshaphat?

8.

Why did Jehoshaphat make his trip to Samaria? Why was Ahab so determined to make the campaign against Ramoth-gilead? Why did Jehoshaphat go along with him even after the fateful predictions of Micaiah?

9.

An Aramean soldier shot an arrow by chance, and that arrow became the instrument of divine judgment against Ahab. Do things just happen by chance? How is it that God works through what appears to be mere happen stance to accomplish His will?

10.

What were the political and what were the personal consequences of King Ahaziah's sin?

11.

How could Ahaziah be so sure that his messengers had actually confronted Elijah?

12.

Why did God consume the two companies of soldiers with fire? Why spare the third company?

13.

Why did Ahaziah send messengers to Baal-zebub? What kind of god was this?

The Alter of Burnt Offerings