7.09.2015

1 Kings 21-22

21
Ahab asks for Naboth's vineyard, to use as a vegetable garden since it's close.  But it's Naboth's ancestral inheritance, and he refuses.  Ahab has no right to "eminent domain" in this way.  Ahab sulks again.  Jezebel gets it for him by false witness and murdering Naboth.  Elijah rebukes him and threatens punishment; Ahab repents of it, and God delays punishment as a result.

22
Ahab wants to attack Syria to retake some land.  When Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, visits, Ahab suggests an alliance, and Judah agrees.  The prophets predict success, but Judah wants a prophet of Yahweh to speak.  Micaiah predicts doom, and Ahab jails him.  In spite of Ahab's selfish scheme to protect himself, he is mortally wounded, and the dogs lick up his blood when they wash out his chariot back home as prophesied (21:19).

Jehoshaphat was Judah's king after Asa, and like him was generally faithful, though he made peace with Ahab.  His sailing expedition for gold was a failure, and he refused to ally with Israel (Ahab's son, Ahaziah) on another one.  Ahaziah was wicked, like Ahab.


How this is about Jesus
Ahab is an anti-type, a photo negative image of Christ.
Ahab takes an inheritance for himself; Jesus gives us one.
Ahab sulks when denied his desire; Jesus prays (in another garden/vineyard of Gethsemane) but remains faithful.
Ahab's wife lies to get his way; the leaders of God's people lie to get Jesus killed.
Kings shows the importance of a prophet to check the king.  Jesus is prophet and king.


Application
Those in power must use it to serve justice to people, not to serve themselves; and they must heed God's direction in His Word.

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