1Kings:22

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* Verse 1-14 - The same easiness of temper , which betrays some godly persons into friendship with the declared enemies of religion , renders it very dangerous to them . They will be drawn to wink at and countenance such conduct and conversation as they ought to protest against with abhorrence . Whithersoever a good man goes , he ought to take his religion with him , and not be ashamed to own it when he is with those who have no regard for it . Jehoshaphat had not left behind him , at Jerusalem , his affection and reverence for the word of the Lord , but avowed it , and endeavoured to bring it into Ahab 's court . And Ahab 's prophets , to please Jehoshaphat , made use of the name of Jehovah : to please Ahab , they said , Go up . But the false prophets cannot so mimic the true , but that he who has spiritual senses exercised , can discern the fallacy . One faithful prophet of the Lord was worth them all . Wordly men have in all ages been alike absurd in their views of religion . They would have the preacher fit his doctrine to the fashion of the times , and the taste of the hearers , and yet to add . Thus saith the Lord , to words that men would put into their mouths . They are ready to cry out against a man as rude and foolish , who scruples thus to try to secure his own interests , and to deceive others . * Verse 15-28 - The greatest kindness we can do to one that is going in a dangerous way , is , to tell him of his danger . To leave the hardened criminal without excuse , and to give a useful lesson to others , Micaiah related his vision . This matter is represented after the manner of men : we are not to imagine that God is ever put upon new counsels ; or that he needs to consult with angels , or any creature , about the methods he should take ; or that he is the author of sin , or the cause of any man 's telling or believing a lie . Micaiah returned not the blow of Zedekiah , yet , since he boasted of the Spirit , as those commonly do that know least of the Holy Spirit 's operations , the true prophet left him to be convinced of his error by the event . Those that will not have their mistakes set right in time , by the word of God , will be undeceived , when it is too late , by the judgments of God . We should be ashamed of what we call trials , were we to consider what the servants of God have endured . Yet it will be well , if freedom from trouble prove not more hurtful to us ; we are more easily allured and bribed into unfaithfulness and conformity to the world , than driven to them . * Verse 29-40 - Ahab basely intended to betray Johoshaphat to danger , that he might secure himself . See what they get that join with wicked men . How can it be expected that he should be true to his friend , who has been false to his God ! He had said in compliment to Ahab , I am as thou art , and now he was indeed taken for him . Those that associate with evil-doers , are in danger of sharing in their plagues . By Jehoshaphat 's deliverance , God let him know , that though he was displeased with him , yet he had not deserted him . God is a friend that will not fail us when other friends do . Let no man think to hide himself from God 's judgment . God directed the arrow to hit Ahab ; those cannot escape with life , whom God has doomed to death . Ahab lived long enough to see part of Micaiah 's prophecy accomplished . He had time to feel himself die ; with what horror must he have thought upon the wickedness he had committed ! * Verse 41-50 - Jehoshaphat 's reign appears to have been one of the best , both as to piety and prosperity . He pleased God , and God blessed him . * Verse 51-53 - Ahaziah 's reign was very short , not two years ; some sinners God makes quick work with . A very bad character is given of him ; he listened not to instruction , took no warning , but followed the example of his wicked father , and the counsel of his more wicked mother , Jezebel , who was still living . Miserable are the children who not only derive a sinful nature from their parents , but are taught by them to increase it ; and most unhappy parents are they , that help to damn their children 's souls . Hardened sinners rush forward , unawed and unmoved , in the ways from which others before them have been driven into everlasting misery . Henry ' _2_1 **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary **** _

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