The Monarchy – Part 10 The Bravest Prophet You’ve Never Heard Of… I Kings 22:1-40 November 13, 2016
I. A lot can HAPPEN in 80 YEARS. (I Kings 12-21)
A. A SUCCESSION of KINGS. (See Chart)
B. The EXPLOITS of AHAB. (I Kings 16-22)
C. Hungry for POWER over PEACE. (22:1)
There is so much of the history of Israel that we are just gliding over in this series.
There are lessons to be learned throughout all of 1-2 Kings and 1-2 Chronicles. So
much is happening, things that speak powerfully to our lives today, both on large scale
and small scale issues.
1. What stands out to you as you look at the scope of Israel’s monarchy? What
lessons could we learn from them?
2. How do the “alliances” we form in our world impact us and the world around us?
II. A TALE of two KINGS. (22:1-40)
A. An UNLIKELY ALLIANCE. (22:4)
B. An ACCEPTABLE MAJORITY. (22:5-6,12)
C. An UNPOPULAR TRUTH. (22:13-28)
D. A “RANDOM” ARROW. (v.29-40)
Our text today focuses in on what happens to end the reign of Ahab, King of Israel.
Although the land has lived in peace for 3 years, he can’t shake the thought that Aram
has not given back the border town that they promised to. So he skillfully gets the
people onside, as well as Jehosophat, King of Judah, and they head off, full of
confidence, into what will be Ahab’s last battle.
3. What are some key ways we can determine if we are listening to the truth of God or
just “truth” that we want to hear?
4. What stands out to you about Micaiah, son of Imlah? Why do you think he initially
responded as he did?
5. When have you felt pressure to tone down what you felt you needed to say, or to not
say it at all? What was that like?
III. TRUTH you can COUNT on. (Jn 8:32)
A. One THRONE above all OTHERS. (v.10,19; Ps 2:1-6)
B. One who EXALTS and HUMBLES. (v.23,38; Dan. 2:21)
C. One AUTHOR of HISTORY. (v.38; Is. 46:10; Eph. 1:11)
There is some large scale truth in this passage. Things that we can hold on to as we
see the events in the world around us. All of humanity seems to count so much on
holding political and military power. They seem to think that will make them free. “The
kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and
against his Anointed One. ‘Let us break their chains,’ they say, ‘and throw off their
fetters.’” (Ps. 2:1-3) And yet surrender to the One True King is the only way to freedom.
6. Think of the scene that Micaiah walked up to? How do the “trappings” of power and
influence serve to intimidate us today? What are the more subtle “powers” that seek
to keep us from speaking or hearing what God has to say?
7. What does Dan. 2:21 have to say to our engagement in and concern for the political
process?
8. Does God allow evil so that good will result? How do you feel about that idea?
IV. The TRUTH always CONFRONTS… (Heb 4:12)
A. Engaging CONCEPTUALLY or PERSONALY? (James 1:22-24)
B. Making TRUTH all about YOU? (22:8; Jn 5:39-40)
C. BUILDING on it or being BROKEN by it? (I Peter 2:6-8)
But let’s not leave it at large scale truth…let’s bring it down into our hearts and our day
to day lives. The truth always confronts us. It cuts us open and exposes what lies deep
within our own hearts…often things that we don’t even now about ourselves. How will
we respond to the truth?
9. Do you read the Bible for information or transformation? How can you know the
difference?
10.What are some signs that you might be making your Christianity “all about you”?
How can you watch out for those?
“We all serve God inevitably, but it makes a great difference
whether you serve like Judas or serve like John.”
—C.S. Lewis