1 Kings 21 & 22: A Prophet Of The LORD
Verse of the Day: (22:7) And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him?

1. The Possession (21:1-29)
And it came to pass, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it. (21:16)

King Ahab of Israel coveted a vineyard next to his palace and asked Naboth the owner to sell it to him. Naboth refused to sell to Ahab as the vineyard was his inheritance from his ancestors. However, Queen Jezebel when she heard it, commanded her men to stone Naboth to death by falsely accusing him of blaspheming God in breaking a fast. Jezebel then possessed his vineyard. However, God is not mocked, and He commanded Elijah to prophesy His judgment upon the evil of both Ahab and Jezebel, that one day, the place where the dogs licked Ahab’s blood, shall be the place where they licked Naboth’s blood, and that the dogs also shall eat Jezebel’s corpse. Indeed, let us flee from wickedness, and pray for our spouse that together we can love and serve God, as He had intended for us in the beginning of time when He created the first couple, Adam and Eve. (Genesis 2:20-25)

2. The Prophet (22:1-50)
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. (22:34)

Ahab invited King Jehoshaphat of Judah to join forces with him to fight against Syria and reclaimed Ramoth-gilead from them. Ahab then asked God through his 400 false prophets who only prophesied what Ahab desired to hear that they would prevail against Syria. Jehoshaphat requested Ahab to engage Prophet Micaiah who only spoke God’s truth. Micaiah prophesied that Syria would defeat them, and Zedekiah, Ahab’s false prophet, then slapped him and threw him into prison. Nevertheless both kings refused to listen to Micaiah’s prophesy. Ahab then disguised himself thinking that he would be safe in the battle, however a random arrow hit him, and eventually he died. Dogs came licking his blood thus fulfilling God’s prophecy. Indeed, let us fully submit to God and His perfect will and do what is right before Him, as His will is the best for us. (Luke 22:39-46)

3. The Provocation (22:51-53)
For he served Baal, and worshipped him, and provoked to anger the LORD God of Israel, according to all that his father had done. (22:53) 

All the kings of Israel including Ahaziah, Ahab’s son, provoked and sinned against God thus reaping condemnation in fiery hell. Let us hence repent our sins, and believe in Jesus, and receive His great gift of eternal life to be with Him in glorious heaven. (Romans 6:23)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to submit to Your Prophet, Jesus, and His perfect will.