The Rapture Then The Rapture Now 10

Elijah and the Rapture 1st Kings 22


Mat 7:15-23 KJV  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  (16)  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?  (17)  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.  (18)  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  (19)  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  (20)  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.  (21)  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  (22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  (23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.


1Ki 22:1-4 KJV  And they continued three years without war between Syria and Israel.  (2)  And it came to pass in the third year, that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel.  (3)  And the king of Israel said unto his servants, Know ye that Ramoth in Gilead is ours, and we be still, and take it not out of the hand of the king of Syria?  (4)  And he said unto Jehoshaphat, Wilt thou go with me to battle to Ramothgilead? And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, I am as thou art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses.



As we closed with chapter 21 we realized that although Ahab made the mistake the following generation would suffer the penalties.

Let’s explore our NNIBD(Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary) concerning Ramothgilead.

Ramoth Gilead

RAMOTH GILEAD [RAY muhth GIL ee uhd] (heights of Gilead) — an important fortified city in the territory of Gad near the border of Israel and Syria (see Map 4, C-3). It was approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) east of the Jordan River. Ramoth Gilead was designated by Moses as one of the Cities of Refuge (Deu_4:43; Jos_20:8). In the time of Solomon, one of the king's 12 district officers was stationed at Ramoth Gilead to secure food for the king's household, since it was a commercial center.

Because of its strategic location near the border of Israel and Syria, Ramoth Gilead was frequently the scene of battles between the two nations. The Jewish historian Josephus says that the city was captured by King Omri from Ben-Hadad I. It then changed hands several times. King Ahab enlisted the aid of King Jehoshaphat to retake the city, but he was mortally wounded in the attempt (2 Chr. 28-34). Ahab's son Joram was likewise wounded while attacking Ramoth Gilead (2Ki_8:28). While Jehu was maintaining possession of Ramoth Gilead, Elisha sent his servant to anoint Jehu king of Israel (2Ki_9:1-13).

1Ki 22:5-12 KJV  And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.  (6)  Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king.  (7)  And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him?  (8)  And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.  (9)  Then the king of Israel called an officer, and said, Hasten hither Micaiah the son of Imlah.  (10)  And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat each on his throne, having put on their robes, in a void place in the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them.  (11)  And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron: and he said, Thus saith the LORD, With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until thou have consumed them.  (12)  And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the king's hand.

Let’s reference John Wesley’s Explanatory notes for verse 6.

1Ki 22:6 KJV  Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king.

1 Kings 22:6

The prophets - Doubtless his own false prophets, or the priests of the groves; who yet gave in their answer in the name of Jehovah; either, in compliance with Jehoshaphat, or by Ahab's direction, that Jehoshaphat might be deceived by them, into a good opinion of the war.

Let’s check out Albert Barnes’ notes with regard to verses 8 and 11.

1Ki 22:8 KJV  And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.

1 Kings 22:8

There is yet one man, Micaiah - Elijah, it appears, had withdrawn again after the events of the last chapter, and there was no known prophet of Yahweh within reach of Samaria except Micaiah.

He doth not prophesy good concerning me but evil - Whether the tradition in 1Ki_20:41 note be true or not, it is certain that Ahab had imprisoned him 1Ki_22:26, and probable that the imprisonment was on account of threatening prophecies. Ahab suggests to Jehoshaphat that Micaiah is one who allows his private feelings to determine the utterances which he delivers as if from Yahweh. Hence, the force of Jehoshaphat’s answer, “Let not the king say so;” i. e., “Let not the king suppose that a prophet would be guilty of such impiety,” - an impiety from which even Balaam shrank Num_22:18.

1Ki 22:11 KJV  And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron: and he said, Thus saith the LORD, With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until thou have consumed them.

1 Kings 22:11

Horns of iron - The horn in Scripture is the favorite symbol of power; and pushing with the horn is a common metaphor for attacking and conquering enemies (see Deu_33:17; Compare Psa_44:5; Dan_8:4). Zedekiah, in employing a symbolic action, was following the example of a former Israelite prophet 1Ki_11:30.

Thus saith the Lord - Or, יהוה yehovâh. Zedekiah lays aside the unmeaningful “Lord” אדני  'ǎdonāy of the general company of Israelite prophets 1Ki_22:6, and professes to have a direct message from Yahweh to Ahab. He may have believed his own words, for the “lying spirit” 1Ki_22:22 may have seemed to him a messenger from Yahweh. All the rest followed his example 1Ki_22:12.

1Ki 22:13-23 KJV  And the messenger that was gone to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good unto the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak that which is good.  (14)  And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak.  (15)  So he came to the king. And the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall we forbear? And he answered him, Go, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king.  (16)  And the king said unto him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but that which is true in the name of the LORD?  (17)  And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace.  (18)  And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would prophesy no good concerning me, but evil?  (19)  And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left.  (20)  And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner.  (21)  And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him.  (22)  And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.  (23)  Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.

Let’s continue with Albert Barnes’ notes

1Ki 22:15 KJV  So he came to the king. And the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall we forbear? And he answered him, Go, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king.

1 Kings 22:15

And he answered him ... - Micaiah speaks the exact words of the 400 in so mocking and ironical a tone, that the king cannot mistake his meaning, or regard his answer as serious. The king’s rejoinder implies that this mocking manner was familiar to Micaiah, who had used it in some former dealings with the Israelite monarch. Hence, in part, the king’s strong feeling of dislike (compare 1Ki_22:8).

1Ki 22:18 KJV  And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would prophesy no good concerning me, but evil?

1 Kings 22:18

See 1Ki_22:8. Ahab implies that he believes Micaiah to have spoken out of pure malevolence, without any authority for his prediction from God. By implication he invites Jehoshaphat to disregard this pseudo-prophecy, and to put his trust in the unanimous declaration of the 400. Micaiah, therefore, proceeds to explain the contradiction between himself and the 400, by recounting another vision.

1Ki 22:24-28 KJV  But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near, and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee?  (25)  And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself.  (26)  And the king of Israel said, Take Micaiah, and carry him back unto Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son;  (27)  And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace.  (28)  And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, the LORD hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, O people, every one of you.

Deu 18:19-22 KJV  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.  (20)  But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.  (21)  And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?  (22)  When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

1Ki 22:29-34 KJV  So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramothgilead.  (30)  And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and enter into the battle; but put thou on thy robes. And the king of Israel disguised himself, and went into the battle.  (31)  But the king of Syria commanded his thirty and two captains that had rule over his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small nor great, save only with the king of Israel.  (32)  And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, Surely it is the king of Israel. And they turned aside to fight against him: and Jehoshaphat cried out.  (33)  And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, that they turned back from pursuing him.  (34)  And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.

2Ch 18:31 KJV  And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him.

Psa 50:15 KJV  And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

Psa 91:14-16 KJV  Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.  (15)  He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.  (16)  With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Psa 116:1-2 KJV  I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.  (2)  Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.

1Ki 22:35-41 KJV  And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot.  (36)  And there went a proclamation throughout the host about the going down of the sun, saying, Every man to his city, and every man to his own country.  (37)  So the king died, and was brought to Samaria; and they buried the king in Samaria.  (38)  And one washed the chariot in the pool of Samaria; and the dogs licked up his blood; and they washed his armour; according unto the word of the LORD which he spake.  (39)  Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the ivory house which he made, and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?  (40)  So Ahab slept with his fathers; and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead.  (41)  And Jehoshaphat the son of Asa began to reign over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel.

1Ki 21:19 KJV  And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.

Mat 24:35 KJV  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

1Ki 22:42-48 KJV  Jehoshaphat was thirty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.  (43)  And he walked in all the ways of Asa his father; he turned not aside from it, doing that which was right in the eyes of the LORD: nevertheless the high places were not taken away; for the people offered and burnt incense yet in the high places.  (44)  And Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel.  (45)  Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, and his might that he shewed, and how he warred, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?  (46)  And the remnant of the sodomites, which remained in the days of his father Asa, he took out of the land.  (47)  There was then no king in Edom: a deputy was king.  (48)  Jehoshaphat made ships of Tharshish to go to Ophir for gold: but they went not; for the ships were broken at Eziongeber.

NNIBD reference to Jehoshaphat 

3. A son of Asa who succeeded his father as king of Judah (1Ki_15:24). Jehoshaphat was 35 years old when he became king, and he reigned 25 years in Jerusalem (2Ch_20:31), from about 873 B.C. to about 848 B.C.

Jehoshaphat received an excellent heritage from his father Asa, who in the earlier years of his reign showed a reforming spirit in seeking God (2Ch_15:1-19). Jehoshaphat's faith in God led him to “delight in the ways of the LORD” (2Ch_17:6). He attacked pagan idolatry and he sent teachers to the people to teach them more about God (2Ch_17:6-9). In affairs of state, Jehoshaphat also showed a willingness to rely on the Lord. In a time of danger he prayed for God's help (2Ch_20:6-12).

Jehoshaphat showed a high regard for justice in his dealings (2Ch_19:4-11). He reminded the judges whom he appointed that their ultimate loyalty was to God. His attitude toward impartial justice is reflected in these words: “Behave courageously, and the LORD will be with the good” (2Ch_19:11).

But in his dealings with Ahab, king of Israel, Jehoshaphat made some serious mistakes. Through the marriage of his son, Jehoram, to Ahab's daughter, Jehoshaphat allied himself with Ahab (2Ch_21:5-6). This alliance led to even further dealings with the wicked king of Israel (2Ch_18:1-34), which the prophet Jehu rebuked (2Ch_19:1-3).

Jehoshaphat and his father Asa are bright lights against the dark paganism that existed during their time. Both father and son had certain weaknesses, but their faith in the Lord brought good to themselves as well as God's people during their reigns.

1Ki 15:11-15 KJV  And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, as did David his father.  (12)  And he took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made.  (13)  And also Maachah his mother, even her he removed from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove; and Asa destroyed her idol, and burnt it by the brook Kidron.  (14)  But the high places were not removed: nevertheless Asa's heart was perfect with the LORD all his days.  (15)  And he brought in the things which his father had dedicated, and the things which himself had dedicated, into the house of the LORD, silver, and gold, and vessels.

1Ki 22:49-53 KJV  Then said Ahaziah the son of Ahab unto Jehoshaphat, Let my servants go with thy servants in the ships. But Jehoshaphat would not.  (50)  And Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Jehoram his son reigned in his stead.  (51)  Ahaziah the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned two years over Israel.  (52)  And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of his father, and in the way of his mother, and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin:  (53)  For he served Baal, and worshipped him, and provoked to anger the LORD God of Israel, according to all that his father had done.

1Ki 22:49 KJV  Then said Ahaziah the son of Ahab unto Jehoshaphat, Let my servants go with thy servants in the ships. But Jehoshaphat would not.

2Ch 20:31-37 KJV  And Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah: he was thirty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.  (32)  And he walked in the way of Asa his father, and departed not from it, doing that which was right in the sight of the LORD.  (33)  Howbeit the high places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers.  (34)  Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Jehu the son of Hanani, who is mentioned in the book of the kings of Israel.  (35)  And after this did Jehoshaphat king of Judah join himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who did very wickedly:  (36)  And he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish: and they made the ships in Eziongeber.  (37)  Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the LORD hath broken thy works. And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish.

The alliance between Ahaziah and Jehoshaphat causes the wreckage in the ship yard. 

1Ki 22:50-53 KJV  And Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Jehoram his son reigned in his stead.  (51)  Ahaziah the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned two years over Israel.  (52)  And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of his father, and in the way of his mother, and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin:  (53)  For he served Baal, and worshipped him, and provoked to anger the LORD God of Israel, according to all that his father had done.

Mat 22:37 KJV  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Heb 12:1-3 KJV  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,  (2)  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.  (3)  For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

As always thanks for sharing a word

God Bless