The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Kings — Section 533

oLnous justice of the cause, Jehoshnphat responded," I am as thou art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses." This was too strong a compliment to Ahab and bis people, and the response was too ready. We may not champion every just cause. It may be wrong to champion a good cause in wicked oompo.ny. (3) Bethinking himself, as a godly man should do, " J ehoshapbat said unto the king of Israel, Inquire, I pray thee, at the word of the Lord." A good man seeks to take God with him, and so long as be abides in this holy company he is safe. But let him beware that he be not persuaded by the wicked to forsake it. (4) Ahab was equal to the occasion. He had four hundred prophets ready with one mouth to pronounce for the war, and that, too, in the name of the Lord. This hireling company, however, did not satisfy Jehoshaphat, yet he fell into their snare. He should have availed himself of the opportunity to withdraw given him in the prophecy of Micaiah; but, under the spell of Ahab's evil influence, be went to the battle and got into trouble. There is no safety in the company of the wicked. 4. It provokes judgments of God. (1) The good partake in the plagues of their wicked associates. Jehoshaphat barely escaped, through the mercy of God, with his life ; and he suffered the loss of many of his people (see Rev. xviii. 4). The fly that keeps aloof is not entangled in the spider's web. (2) The good incur Divine judgments for their own sin. The sin of friendship with the enemies of God. The sin such friendship must infallibly occasion. Such was the experience of Jehoshaphat (see 2 Cbron. xix. 2). Such will be yours. Avoid it.-J. A. M. Vers. 9-14.-The False and the True. There would be no counterfeit coin if there were no sterling; so neither would there be false prophets if there were no true. Because there are both, their qualities have to be tested, that we may refuse the spurious and value the genuine (see J er. xx.iii. 38). To this end let us consider- L TESTS WHICH MAY NOT BE TRUSTED, 1. The teat of profession. (1) Ahab's prophets "prophesied." That is to say (a) They used modes usual with prophets to procure information from Heaven. These were sacrifice, prayer, music (see 1 Sam. x. 5, 6; 2 Kings iii. 15), and, when time permitted, fasting. (b) They used modes usual with prophets to communicate the information when received. " Zedekiah, the son of Chenaanah, made him horns of iron : and be said, Thus saith the Lord, With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until thou have consumed them" (cf. Jer. xxvii. 2; xxviii. 13). The "born" was the symbol of a king (see Dan. vii. 24; Rev. xvii.12). These were "two,'' to represent Ahab and Jehoshaphat, Israel and Judah. They were of" iron" to express strength (see Dan. ii. 40). The prophecy was that, aided by Jehoshaphat, Ahab should push the Syrians to destru~- tion. (2) They prophesied "in the name of the Lord." Some think because thell' number corresponded to that of the prophets of Ashere (eh. xviii. 19) these were the same, having escaped when the prophets of Baal were slain at the brook Kishon (eh. xviii. 40). If so, then their profession on this occasion was designed to deceive Jehoshaphat (see J er. xxiii. 30). (3) Anyhow there was profession enough, but it was hollow, and proved conclusively that profession must not be taken as a test of truth. 2. The test of numbers. (1) Here were "four hundred" who prophesied professedly in the name of the Lord. Against this number Micaiah the son of Imlah stands alone ; yet the truth of God is with him against the multitude. " Truth is not always to be determined by the poll. It is not numbers, but weight, that must carry it in the council of prophets" (Bishop Hall). (2) This instance does not stand alone. The majority was in the wrong against Noah. Elijah was in the minority on Carmel, but he was right. Jesus had the whole Jewish Church against Him, though He was Truth itself. 8. The test of unanimity. (1) The four hundred were united against Micaiah. Sometimes there is unanimity of this kind against a common object, where otherwise there is little agreement. Herod and Pilate made friends in opposition to Jesus. (2) But these prophets were agreed among themselves. They all seem to have followed the leadership of Zedekiah. "And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramoth-Gilead, an~ prosper: for the Lord shall deliver it into the king's hand." 4. How does this argument bear upon the authority of the Olvtvrch ! (1) It is pleaded that the OB. xxn. 1-58.] THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS. M9