1 Kings

1 Kings 22: The LORD's true word stands

Begin in prayer

Before we read about Micaiah and the king of Israel, let us stop and wait on the Lord together. Ask Him to make us love His true word more than the words that please us, and to show us Jesus, the true Prophet.

Yahweh reigns! He is clothed with majesty! Yahweh is armed with strength. The world also is established. It can’t be moved.

Psalm 93:1

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You rule from Your throne and that Your true word stands, and help us to trust You and Your Son, Jesus. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

For three years there is no war between Syria and Israel, and then Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, comes down to the king of Israel. Ahab asks him to go with him to take Ramoth Gilead, and Jehoshaphat asks first for the word of the LORD. Four hundred prophets tell Ahab to go up and prosper, but Micaiah says he will speak only what the LORD says. Micaiah sees the LORD on His throne, and he tells the kings that a lying spirit has been put in their prophets' mouths. Ahab is killed in battle at evening, and the dogs lick up his blood, as the LORD's word had said.

As you read 1 Kings 22, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD rules from His throne, and His true word always stands.

Jehoshaphat asked for the LORD's word, and four hundred prophets told Ahab what he wanted to hear (verses 5 to 12). Micaiah, whom Ahab hated, said he would speak only what the LORD told him (verses 8 and 14). He saw the LORD sitting on His throne, with the army of heaven beside Him (verse 19). He said the LORD had put a lying spirit in the mouth of Ahab's prophets (verse 23). The LORD rules over every voice, and God does not lie (Titus 1 verse 2). Through Micaiah the LORD told Ahab the truth, yet Ahab put Micaiah in prison (verses 23 and 27). Ahab went to battle in disguise, but a man drew his bow at random and struck him (verses 30 to 34). Ahab died at evening, and the dogs licked up his blood, as the LORD's word had said (verses 35 to 38). Jesus spoke only what the Father told Him (John 12 verse 49).

How does 1 Kings 22 show us that the LORD rules from His throne, and that His true word always stands?

The LORD rules from His throne.

Micaiah saw the LORD sitting on His throne, with the army of heaven on His right hand and His left (verse 19). The LORD asked who would entice Ahab to go up to Ramoth Gilead and fall there (verse 20). Micaiah said that the LORD had put a lying spirit in the mouth of Ahab's prophets (verse 23).

The LORD's word stands against false prophets.

The four hundred prophets told Ahab what he wanted to hear (verses 6 and 12). Micaiah spoke the LORD's word, though Ahab hated him for it (verses 8 and 14). The king went to battle, and the LORD's word came true (verses 34 to 38).

Jesus spoke only what the Father gave Him.

Micaiah spoke only what the LORD said, even though the king hated it (verses 14 and 18). Jesus said that He spoke only what the Father had told Him (John 12 verse 49). The Word became flesh, and His own people did not receive Him (John 1 verses 11 and 14).

Memorise

Therefore hear Yahweh’s word. I saw Yahweh sitting on his throne, and all the army of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left.

1 Kings 22:19

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, do I welcome God's true word, even when it tells me I am wrong?

Micaiah spoke only what the LORD told him, and the king put him in prison. Jesus spoke only what the Father gave Him to say, and people who loved to hear what pleased them put Him on a cross.

He had no sin of His own to answer for. He took the judgment of God on Himself for His people's sin, and the Father raised Him to life. Nothing is missing from what He did.

So come to Him, turn from your sin, and put your trust in Jesus. Listen to His true word, even when it tells you that you are wrong. He will not send away the sinner who comes.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD's true word stands, and that Jesus spoke only what the Father gave Him. Parents, verses 19 to 23 are hard, so read them plainly, and teach that God rules every voice and does not lie. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that His true word stands, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Won’t you revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?

Psalm 85:6

Father, thank You that You rule from Your throne and that Your true word stands. Thank You for Jesus, the true Word, who spoke only what You gave Him. Lead each of us to turn from sin and to trust Jesus. Give us hearts that love Your truth this week. Amen.