Bible Study: 1 Kings 22

Context

Divided kingdom: Northern Israel (capital Samaria, King Ahab & Jezebel, wicked); Southern Judah (capital Jerusalem, King Jehoshaphat, wiser).
Ahab enlists Jehoshaphat to reclaim Ramoth-Gilead from Syrian King Ben-Hadad.
Jehoshaphat advises seeking God's word first.

400 prophets unanimously urge attack: "Go up, the Lord will deliver it."
Zedekiah (son of Chenaanah) uses iron horns as props: "Gore the Syrians until destroyed."

Ahab hates Micaiah for always prophesying truth (not what Ahab wants).
Micaiah initially mocks sarcastically, then reveals vision: Israel scattered like shepherdless sheep; Ahab will die.
Heavenly vision: God seeks someone to persuade Ahab to battle and fall; lying spirit (demonic principality) volunteers, permitted by God (cf. Job 1 scene with Satan).
Zedekiah strikes Micaiah; Ahab imprisons him on bread/water until return "in peace."
Micaiah: "If you return in peace, Lord has not spoken."

Ahab disguises; tells Jehoshaphat to wear robes.
Syrians target Jehoshaphat (mistaken for Ahab); he cries out, God diverts them (2 Chronicles 18:31).
Random arrow hits Ahab between armor joints; propped in chariot, dies at evening.
Prophecy fulfilled: Dogs lick Ahab's blood (1 Kings 21:19).
Ahaziah (Ahab's son) succeeds as evil king, serving Baal.

35 when crowned, ruled 25 years; mostly good like father Asa, but high places remained; allied with Ahab.
Banished religious prostitutes; no king in Edom (deputy).
Ships to Ophir for gold wrecked by God at Ezion Geber (due to Ahab alliance); refused Ahaziah's help.
Jehoram succeeds.