2 Chronicles 18:4 - Meaning and Application

This is almost word for word the same as what we saw in 1 Kings 22. We will not repeat what was said there, and we have little to add. Still, we can pause here and notice some useful lessons.

First, this shows the great duty of acknowledging God in all our ways and asking for his word before we do anything. Jehoshaphat would not go ahead until he had done this (2 Chronicles 18:4). We can ask in prayer, search the Scriptures with an open mind and an honest conscience, and pay attention to the signs of God’s providence, his wise ordering of events. In this way we may make such decisions with much more peace.

Second, it warns us about the danger of bad company, even for good people. Those with more wisdom, grace, and strength cannot assume they will mix freely with wicked people and come away unharmed. Here Jehoshaphat, to please Ahab, sits in his royal robes and listens patiently as the false prophets speak lies in the name of the Lord (2 Chronicles 18:9). He can hardly bring himself to give Ahab even a mild rebuke for hating a prophet of the Lord (2 Chronicles 18:7), and he does not dare rebuke the false prophet who cruelly insulted the faithful seer, or challenge Ahab, who sent that prophet to prison.

Those who put themselves among scoffers cannot expect to leave without sharing in some guilt, at least the guilt of failing to do their duty, unless they have more wisdom and courage than most people can claim.

Third, this shows how unhappy it is to be surrounded by flatterers, especially flattering prophets who say only what people want to hear and promise peace all the time. Ahab was led to his ruin by such men, and rightly so, because he listened to them and preferred those who pleased him over a faithful prophet who warned him of danger. People do best for themselves when they let their friends, and especially their ministers, speak plainly and honestly to them, and when they receive correction not only patiently, but gratefully. Counsel that pleases us is not always the best counsel for us.

Fourth, we see the power of Satan, by God’s permission, among the children of disobedience, that is, those who refuse to obey God. One lying spirit can fill 400 prophets with lies and use them to deceive Ahab (2 Chronicles 18:21). The devil becomes a murderer by being a liar, and he destroys people by deceiving them.

Fifth, we see the justice of God in giving people over to strong delusions, so they believe a lie, when they will not receive the love of the truth but rebel against it (2 Chronicles 18:21). Let the lying spirit lead those into ruin who will not be persuaded to do what is right and what would bring them happiness.

Sixth, this reminds us of the hard condition of faithful ministers. Their lot has often been to be hated, persecuted, and mistreated because they are true to God and act with kindness and honesty toward souls. Micaiah, because he kept a good conscience, was struck, imprisoned, and given the bread and water of affliction. Yet he could still confidently appeal to what would happen in the end, as all who are persecuted for faithfulness may do (2 Chronicles 18:27).

The day will show who was right and who was wrong, when Christ appears. That will bring great comfort to his persecuted people and lasting shame to their persecutors, who will then be forced to see what they refuse to believe now (2 Chronicles 18:24).