Sometimes good motives moves us to do bad things.

Jehoshaphat was a good king of Judah who strengthened his cities and his army to the point that the surrounding kings feared to attack. He then sent his officers throughout the country with Levites and priests to teach his people the law of the Lord.

God blessed Jehoshaphat’s rule with many gifts from his subjects, and even some from the Philistines.

In that atmosphere of calm and plenty, Jehoshaphat made peace with Israel’s evil king, Ahab. Maybe Jehoshaphat thought he could be a good influence. After all, the people of Israel were of the same family as Judah.

Planning a joint battle against Ramoth-Gilead, the two kings listened to Ahab’s false prophets, who told them to “Go for it!” Wisely and diplomatically, Jehoshaphat asked if there were a prophet of the Lord available. Ahab grudgingly called Micaiah, who said Israel would be without a shepherd after the battle and Judah would go home in defeat.

Jehoshaphat,  perhaps felling too committed to back out with honor, went along to war.

Micaiah had spoken truth. Ahab was killed and the battle was lost. We, like Jehoshaphat, need to know that certain alliances are not God’s will.

2 CHRONICLES 19:2 KJV- And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that the LORD? Therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD.