2 Chronicles 18:6

In 2 Chronicles 18:6, King Jehoshaphat of Judah displays remarkable spiritual discernment amidst a potentially dangerous alliance. Having joined forces with King Ahab of Israel for a military campaign against Ramoth-Gilead, Jehoshaphat observes Ahab consulting 400 prophets who all deliver a favorable, yet likely flattering, prophecy. His question, "Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him?" reveals his unease and his desire for genuine divine counsel, distinct from the popular but potentially false assurances offered by Ahab's court prophets.

Context

This verse is pivotal in the narrative of the ill-fated alliance between Jehoshaphat and Ahab. Prior to this, Ahab had gathered his own prophets, who, in unison, promised victory in battle. However, Jehoshaphat, a righteous king who generally walked in the ways of the LORD, sensed that something was amiss. His request highlights a crucial distinction: he wasn't looking for just any prophet, but specifically a "prophet of the LORD" (Yahweh), indicating his desire for divine revelation from the true God of Israel, not from prophets associated with Baal or other idols, or those who merely spoke what the king wanted to hear. This sets the stage for the dramatic appearance of Micaiah, the prophet of the LORD, whose message would starkly contradict the 400.

Key Themes

• Spiritual Discernment: Jehoshaphat's question demonstrates a vital spiritual quality—the ability to discern between true and false prophecy, even when the popular opinion is overwhelming. He did not accept the consensus at face value.
• Seeking God's Authentic Will: Despite being in an unholy alliance, Jehoshaphat still desired to know God's true will before engaging in a major endeavor. This underscores the importance of seeking divine guidance in all matters.
• The Authority of God's Word: The verse implicitly contrasts the unreliable words of man-pleasing prophets with the authoritative and often challenging truth delivered by a genuine prophet of the LORD.
• Consequences of Ungodly Alliances: While Jehoshaphat shows wisdom here, his initial alliance with Ahab ultimately leads to personal danger and a rebuke from God, as seen in 2 Chronicles 19:2.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "prophet of the LORD" is crucial. In Hebrew, this specifies a prophet of Yahweh (יהוה), the covenant God of Israel, as opposed to the prophets of Baal or other pagan deities that were prevalent in Ahab's kingdom. Jehoshaphat's emphasis on "the LORD" indicates his commitment to the true God and his skepticism of prophets who did not genuinely represent Him. The act of "enquiring" (Hebrew: שָׁאַל, sha'al) implies seeking divine instruction or a prophetic oracle, not merely advice.

Practical Application

Jehoshaphat's inquiry serves as a timeless reminder for believers today. In a world filled with diverse voices and opinions, it is essential to cultivate spiritual discernment and not simply follow the crowd or accept popular narratives without critical evaluation. We are called to "test the spirits whether they are of God" (1 John 4:1). This means grounding ourselves in God's unchanging Word, seeking wise counsel from those who genuinely follow Christ, and praying for the Holy Spirit's guidance to distinguish truth from error, especially when making significant decisions. Just as Jehoshaphat sought a true prophet, we should seek the authentic voice of God through His revealed Word and prayer.