Ahab Battles with Jehoshaphat Against Syrians

It might have been expected that Jehoshaphat, who had asked for a prophet of the Lord (v. 5), would heed the prophet's message and refuse to go upon the expedition Micaiah had foretold would end in disaster. He had, it is true, rashly committed himself, by a solemn promise (v. 4), to take part in the war, and he was evidently bound to Ahab by a military alliance, yet he could have made it clear to Ahab that he could not go contrary to the will of the Lord. Indeed, by so doing he might have dissuaded Ahab from undertaking the war. By his willingness to accompany Ahab, Jehoshaphat was encouraging Ahab to court disaster. As it was, Jehoshaphat received a severe rebuke from the Lord for having joined in this enterprise (2 Chron. 19:2).

The precaution of Ahab (disguising himself) is characteristic of his temper of half belief and half unbelief. In his heart of hearts he knew Micaiah to be a true prophet, and he had a fear that his prophecy would be fulfilled. But he would do everything he could to avert the fulfillment of the prediction. Life's greatest victories and its greatest defeats at times hang upon causes that seem small indeed. The Syrian bowman, drawing his bow at a venture, killed a king and won a battle. It is unlikely that the man who fired the arrow knew the result of his shot.

Shots of venture are sometimes shots of destiny. But it is good to know that no arrow of fate can strike without the knowledge of Him who is overruling all. The driver could turn the chariot, but he could not turn the hands on the clock of fate. Ahab's last hour had come, and he knew that the prophecy of Micaiah was true. Ahab made a brave attempt to carry on, allowing himself to be supported in his chariot till the very end. The death of the king at even was the death of Israel's hopes for victory. Not only did Ahab by his stubbornness bring himself down to an inglorious grave he brought tragedy and defeat to an entire nation.