1 Kings 22:1-5: a reflection

1They continued three years without war between Syria and Israel. 2In the third year, Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel. 3The king of Israel said to his servants, “You know that Ramoth Gilead is ours, and we do nothing, and don’t take it out of the hand of the king of Syria?” 4He said to Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to battle to Ramoth Gilead?” Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.” 5Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire first for the LORD’s word.”

King Ahab wants to go to war to recover Ramoth Gilead, and he asks Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, to join him. Jehoshaphat readily agrees, saying, I am as you are, my people as your people. But then, before committing to the venture, Jehoshaphat says something wise: Please inquire first for the word of the LORD. Even after being swept along into agreement, he pauses to seek God's guidance before actually going, wanting to know God's word before committing to the course.

Notice Jehoshaphat's good instinct: to inquire first for the word of the LORD before committing. He had already been quick to agree, swept along into the venture; but before actually going, he pauses to seek God's guidance, unwilling to commit to the course without first knowing God's word. It was wise, even after being pressured into agreement, to stop and seek God before acting. Inquire first, he says; do not commit to this without seeking God's word.

That instinct, to seek God's word before committing to a course, especially when we have been swept along by others, is worth cultivating. We can be quick to agree, swept along into ventures and commitments by others' enthusiasm or pressure, before we have sought God's guidance. But it is wise, even after being pressured into agreement, to pause, as Jehoshaphat paused, and seek God's word before actually committing. When you find yourself swept along toward a commitment or course, do not simply go along; pause, as Jehoshaphat did, and inquire first for the word of the LORD before you commit. It is not too late to seek God even after you have leaned toward a course; inquire first, before committing, seeking God's guidance before you act. Do not commit to important ventures without first seeking God's word, even when you have been swept toward them; pause, as Jehoshaphat paused, to inquire of the LORD before you go.

Lord, King Ahab wanted to go to war and asked Jehoshaphat to join him; Jehoshaphat readily agreed, but then, before committing, said something wise: please inquire first for the word of the LORD. Even after being swept along into agreement, he paused to seek your guidance before going. Show me his good instinct: to inquire first for your word before committing. He had been quick to agree, swept along; but before actually going, he paused to seek your guidance, unwilling to commit without first knowing your word. Cultivate that instinct in me, to seek your word before committing to a course, especially when I have been swept along by others. I can be quick to agree, swept along into ventures and commitments by others' enthusiasm or pressure, before I have sought your guidance. But it is wise, even after being pressured into agreement, to pause, as Jehoshaphat paused, and seek your word before actually committing. When I find myself swept along toward a commitment or course, keep me from simply going along; help me pause, as Jehoshaphat did, and inquire first for your word before I commit. It is not too late to seek you even after I have leaned toward a course; help me inquire first, Lord, before committing, seeking your guidance before I act.