2 Chronicles 18 Summary

Jehoshaphat, now wealthy and honored, forms an alliance with Ahab king of Israel by joining affinity with him. Years later he visits Ahab in Samaria where Ahab feasts him and persuades him to go to war against Syria at Ramoth-gilead. Before battle, Jehoshaphat asks to inquire of the Lord's word. Ahab gathers four hundred prophets who all say to go up and prosper, but Jehoshaphat seeks a true prophet of the Lord. Reluctantly, Ahab brings Micaiah, whom he hates because Micaiah always prophesies evil. When pressed, Micaiah initially agrees with the false prophets, but when Ahab demands the truth, Micaiah reveals a vision of Israel scattered without a shepherd and the Lord's judgment. He further testifies that the Lord has sent a lying spirit into the false prophets to entice Ahab to his destruction. Zedekiah strikes Micaiah, and Ahab imprisons him. Ahab disguises himself while Jehoshaphat wears his robes, and in the battle a random arrow strikes Ahab between the joints of his armor; the battle intensifies and Ahab dies as the sun sets.