Biblical Prophets - Bible Study Online

Thanks to the Lord, Ahab was victorious against Ben-Hadad and his Thirty-Two Kings of Mass Destruction.

But unfortunately, the Israel king still came up short when he didn't follow God's plan all the way through.

By letting Ben-Hadad go free, he prolonged phase two of God's plan; but according to the Lord's prophet -- Ahab in return, would lose his own life and kingdom because of it.

This would be perhaps the announcement of phase three? Remember this scripture back in chapter nineteen when God had spoken to Elijah the prophet:

"Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet." (1 Kings 19:15-16)

Phase One In Process: The prophet Elijah has already anointed Elisha to be his successor, but this apprentice must now be trained in order to do the job properly.

Phase Two In Process: We also find that Ben-Hadad has been partially remove from his throne as king of Aram, somewhat opening the door for Hazael to take his throne.

Now we are at the point where we find Ahab back at his palace and he has now found a particular vineyard that he desires. This vineyard belonged to Naboth the Jezreelite, and the Scriptures tells us, that it was located in a very attractive place near the king's palace.

It was the location of this vineyard that made it so attractive and valuable to Ahab. We assume this, because Ahab had asked Naboth for the vineyard, so that he could turn it into a vegetable garden.

The king offered to pay full value for the vineyard, or, provide Naboth with a better vineyard in return. After the hearing of the king's proposals, Naboth refused him and would not sell Ahab his vineyard: "The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers."

Now when Ahab had heard Naboth's reply, he in return went back to his palace sullen and angry. The king was so upset that he would not eat and laid on his bed sulking.

Later on when his wife Jezebel saw him in this condition, she asked why he was so moody. The king answered by telling her about the situation between him and Naboth.

After Jezebel had heard the king's reasoning for being so upset and sad, she fired back at him by saying: "Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat! Cheer up. I'll get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite."

So Jezebel hatched a plan to get Ahab his so desired vineyard. She started by writing letters in the king's name and placed the royal seal on them and had them delivered to the elders and nobles that lived in Jezreel.

In these letters, she had instructed that these officials proclaim a day of fasting and Naboth should be seated in a prominent place. They were to put two false witnesses on each side of him and have them testify that Naboth had cursed both God and the king.

So these city officials did as Jezebel instructed, by having their day of fasting. They also put Naboth on trial and had the two false witnesses tell the people the lies they were instructed to tell. Because of this, Naboth was found guilty and put to death by stoning, which took place outside of the city.

The officials then sent word to Jezebel letting her know that Naboth had been stoned to death. After Jezebel received this message she went to Ahab to inform him of the news: "Get up and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite that he refused to sell you. He is no longer alive, but dead."

So after Jezebel had said this to Ahab, he got up and went down to claim possession of the vineyard he so desired. Now after the king had went down to claim his prize, the voice of the Lord came to prophet Elijah instructing him to go down and meet the Israel king while he was down in the vineyard.

When Ahab had seen Elijah approaching him he called out to the prophet: "So you have found me, my enemy!" Elijah responded back by delivering this message:

"I have found you and because you have sold yourself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord. I am going to bring disaster on you. I will consume your descendants and cut off from Ahab every last male in Israel -- slave or free. I will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat and that of Baasha son of Ahijah, because you have provoked me to anger and have caused Israel to sin."

"And also concerning Jezebel the Lord says: 'Dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel. Dogs will eat those belonging to Ahab who die in the city, and the birds of the air will feed on those who die in the country.'"

Now after Ahab had heard this message he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and began to fast. The king would walk around in sackcloth and became very humble in nature. The change that Ahab had made was so dramatic, that the Lord took notice. God would say these words to Elijah:

"Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son."

Elijah the Fire Prophet

**YOUR CURRENT SERIES WOULD BE HERE**

Elisha the Master Prophet

Family Dynasties Unite

01) Elijah the Fire Prophet

02) Obadiah and the Caves of Refuge

03) The Fire Contest Between God & Baal

04) The Gift of Rain That Came From The Heavens

05) Elisha The Prophet Apprentice

06) The Thirty Two Kings of Mass Destruction

07) Ben-Hadad The Drunken King

08) <-CURRENT PAGE->

09) The Prophets of the Groves

10) Micaiah The One True Prophet

11) The Demise of King Ahab

12) The Cursed Seed of Ahab

13) Elijah and the Chariot of Fire

14) Elisha the Miracle Prophet