Resurrection Life of Jesus Church

AHAB’S LAST WAR
King Jehoshaphat of Judah had prospered financially and militarily, and he wanted an alliance with King Ahab of Israel. 2 Chronicles 18:1

On a state visit to his northern counterpart, Jehoshaphat was asked to join Ahab in an attack on Ramoth-gilead, a Levitical city in the territory of Gad.1 The city had been taken by the Arameans (Hebrew name for Assyrians) after the death of Solomon. verses 2-3

Jehoshaphat wanted a word from the Lord to find out if this battle aligned with God’s will and Ahab rounded up his prophets who always agreed with him. verses 4-5

Jehoshaphat was not satisfied; he wanted more confirmation and Ahab told Jehoshaphat about another prophet that he did not like because he was always negative. verses 7-8

Ahab’s prophets put on a great show for the two kings. verses 9-11 Micaiah was told to line up with the rest of the prophets. verse12 The man of God decided to mock King Ahab. verses 13-14

Then Micaiah informed Ahab about the grim news from the Lord. verses 16-22

The false prophets reacted with anger. verse 23

Micaiah warned the false prophet. verse 24

King Ahab ordered Micaiah to be arrested and treated harshly until he returned home.  verses 25-26

Micaiah spoke a final warning to Ahab. verse 27

Ahab tried to outsmart the Lord by disguising himself, but once the battle started, the Assyrian’s were actively looking for Ahab, and an archer was able to mortally wound him so that by evening he was dead. verses 28-34

PROPHECIES FULLFILLED
Ahab’s body was returned to Samaria and the dogs licked up his blood just as Micaiah had foretold. 1 Kings 22:37-38

KING AHAZIAH
Ahaziah became the next king of Israel after Ahab’s death. He was a Baal worshipper and just as evil as his father and mother. The Godhead only allowed him to reign for two years and he died a shameful death. 1 Kings 22:51-53

ROYAL TOILETS
It was common to defecate and urinate in an outhouse. The kings and the upper class lived in houses several stories high and the bedrooms were usually on the top floor.

There was a shaft in the middle of the house with a diameter about four feet by four feet. The shaft started above a sewer pit in the basement and at the top there was a seat that the king and his family could sit on to relieve themselves. The shaft was vented so the sewer smell did not end up in the house.

FALLING DOWN THE SHAFT
One day King Ahaziah fell down the shaft and ended up in the sewer pit. He was injured in the fall, bacteria from the feces and urine entered his bloodstream, and he became very ill. Since he was a Baal worshipper, he wanted a word from Baalzebub as to whether he would be healed. 2 Kings 1:2

FIRE FROM HEAVEN
The angel of the Lord told the prophet Elijah that Ahaziah was going to die. verses 3-4

When the king received the bad news, he got upset and ordered Elijah brought to him.  verses 5-9

A captain and 50 soldiers were dispatched by the king to arrest Elijah but they all died.  verse 10

A second detachment was sent out and they too died. verses 11-12

The third captain realized that two detachments had already been killed by fire supernaturally. He had enough sense to recognize the God of Israel was powerful and so he knelt before the prophet and asked Elijah to spare his life. verses 13-14

The angel of the Lord told Elijah to go with the captain and personally tell Ahaziah that he was going to die. verses 15-18

ELIJAH PICKED UP BY GOD’S HOLY ANGELS
We don’t know what Elijah’s age was when the Godhead decided his time on earth was finished. Elisha was determined to be with Elijah when he was taken. Elijah tried in vain to shake him off, but Elisha persisted and received a double portion of Elijah’s power. It is interesting that during the darkest hours of Israel, God was working through two top- rated prophets. 2 Kings 2:1-15

1 During the reign of King Solomon, Ramoth-gilead was the capitol of the 6th district of Israel.