Prayer of Jehoshaphat

The Prayer of Jehoshaphat when the king of Syria had commanded his men to fight only with Ahab, the king of Israel. Thinking that Jehoshaphat was the king of Israel, a group of soldiers began to pursue him.

28 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth Gilead. 29 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and go into battle; but you put on your robes.” So the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle. 30 Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of the chariots who were with him, saying, “Fight with no one small or great, but only with the king of Israel.”

31 So it was, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, “It is the king of Israel!” Therefore they surrounded him to attack; but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him, and God diverted them from him. 32 For so it was, when the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, that they turned back from pursuing him. 33 Now a certain man drew a bow at random, and struck the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. So he said to the driver of his chariot, “Turn around and take me out of the battle, for I am wounded.”
34 The battle increased that day, and the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot facing the Syrians until evening; and about the time of sunset he died.
2 Chronicles 18:28-34, NKJV

2 Chronicles 18 tells us of the remarkable story of the answered prayer of Jehoshaphat. Prior to this passage Micaiah, the prophet of God, prophesied that Ahab, King of Israel, would be killed in battle. Not believing the prophecy of Micaiah, Ahab disguised himself as just a regular Israelite soldier, while Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, went out to the battle in the full array of a king. The king of Syria had commanded his men to fight only with Ahab, the king of Israel. Thinking that Jehoshaphat was the king of Israel, a group of soldiers began to pursue him; Jehoshaphat cried out to God for help, and the soldiers were diverted by God. Then, a random, a Syrian soldier just happened to shoot an arrow which struck Ahab between the joints of his armor; around sunset Ahab died as Micaiah had prophesied.

There are many lessons for us to learn from this prayer of Jehoshaphat, but there are two in particular that I would like to mention. Prayer to God does not have to be fancy or formal. Here was Jehoshaphat in the midst of the battle when he was suddenly attacked by a group of soldiers. He immediately cried out to God for help, and God diverted the men. How did God do that? I don't know! God is always available to help us, even in the midst of a disastrous event. We are never too far away to reach Him, as He is always at our side.

Ahab, who did not serve the Lord was not overly troubled by the prophecy of Micaiah. However, just in case Micaiah was right, Ahab sought to trick God. If he was not arrayed in his kingly robes, no one would know where he was. Actually this was true; the soldier who shot the arrow that killed Ahab was not even aiming at him. In addition, he was not aware that he had just struck the king of Israel.

God does not run His train on our train track! What He ordains will come to pass; there is nothing we can do to divert His will. Just think of that! What a wonderful promise to the Christian; we are always under the protection of God.

Go today in the confidence of the guiding and protecting hand of God in your life as you remember the answered prayer of Jehoshaphat.