Daily Devotional

“The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, ‘There is still one man by whom we may inquire of the Lord; but I hate him, because he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil. He is Micaiah the son of Imla’ ” (2 Chronicles 18:7). 

Research shows that people really do have selective hearing and tend to hear what they want to hear. In one study, men and women were read a list of words—some more socially relevant to women and some geared toward men. Then they were asked to recall as many words as possible. As you might guess, most were able to remember many more of the words with a stronger link to their gender. 

King Ahab exhibited a form of selective hearing when he ignored a direct warning from the prophet Micaiah. Ahab and Jehoshaphat were discussing going to war together against a common enemy. But Jehoshaphat wanted assurance that the Lord would be with them. So, Ahab asked his 400 false prophets what to do. They told him to go ahead and attack Ramoth Gilead and that the Lord would deliver it into the king’s hands. 

Jehoshaphat wasn’t satisfied and asked if there was a prophet of the Lord around. Ahab admitted there was one. “But I hate him, because he never prophesies good concerning me,” Ahab complained. 

Jehoshaphat reprimanded him for talking negatively about the prophet, and Ahab sent someone to fetch Micaiah. When he arrived, Ahab asked him if they should go and fight as planned. Knowing what he wanted to hear, Micaiah answered flippantly, “Go and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand!” (2 Chronicles 18:14). 

When Ahab demanded the truth, Micaiah gave him an ominous warning, and went on to tell the king that his prophets were lying to him. If he went ahead with his plans, he would be doomed. In response, Ahab had him locked up until he should return from battle. 

But Ahab never returned. He had listened to what he wanted to hear. Accustomed to ignoring God’s messages, he shrugged off the warning and paid with his life. Are you listening carefully to God’s messages to you today? 

Dear God, when it comes to Your Word, help me to listen carefully and hear the saving truth.