1 Kings 22:34  But someone drew his bow at random and hit the king of Israel between the sections of his armor. The king told his chariot driver, “Wheel around and get me out of the fighting. I’ve been wounded.” (NIV)

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God’s random direction is more accurate than our best-laid plans. 

The story found in 1 Kings 22 and 2 Chronicles 18 should be studied carefully and applied meticulously. 

The kings of Israel and Judah got together. They decided to be friends instead of enemies. Then they talked about going to war together. Judah’s King Jehoshaphat said, “I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses,” (verse 4).

This is how you win friends and influence people. 

Jehoshaphat had only one condition. We see it in verse 5: “First seek the counsel of the LORD.”

This is where friendships often hit the rocks. Some people fill their lives so full of other voices they no longer can or care to hear the voice of God. 

Learn this lesson from Jehoshaphat well: Always keep first things first. 

We hear people talk about metaphysics in many different contexts today. What does the word metaphysics mean? It is the idea of first principles. It is the understanding of how some things lie beyond our understanding. 

Jehoshaphat understood some things lay beyond our understanding. He knew they should seek God first. In contrast to the four hundred prophets of King Ahab of Israel, the only true prophet of God told Ahab in essence, “If you go to war, you will die.”

Ahab was ready for war. Jehoshaphat, in spite of asking for a prophet from God, and in spite of hearing what God said through that prophet, went to war anyway. 

Here is another less to learn from Jehoshaphat: When God speaks, listen. When you hear what God says, align your next actions with his guidance. 

Jehoshaphat was no doubt a good man with good intentions. He was also a bad judge of character. As they moved toward the battle lines, his new good buddy King Ahab went in disguise but insisted Jehoshaphat keep on his royal robes. Read the story and see how this nearly ended in his death. 

Ahab thought he had everything figured out. Aram’s troops would go after Jehoshaphat in his royal robes and he would be safe since he looked like a normal foot soldier and not like a king. “But someone drew his bow at random and hit the king of Israel between the sections of his armor,” (verse 34). 

Which of these important lessons is most meaningful to you today? How will you not only learn the lesson intellectually but also align yourself with what God is saying to you?

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I will listen for God’s voice and I will do what he says.

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Our Father, I want to live a life intentionally connected to you so that I clearly hear your voice. I also want to do whatever you say because everything you ask of me is motivated and animated by your love for me and everyone my actions will influence. You seek your highest and best for us at all times. How could I listen to and obey any other voice? Amen.