1. The Peacemaker
Jehoshaphat

2. Jehoshaphat A Good King Two Character Flaws 1 Kings 22:42-43a
1 Kings 22:43b – Some high places remained
1 Kings 22:44 – Ill-advised peace

3. Ill-advised Peace? These were fellow Israelites!
Peace with Ahab and Jezebel
Ahab – a very wicked king
1 Kings 16:30-33
Jezebel – a very wicked queen
1 Kings 18:13, 19; 19:1-2; 21:8-15
How was peace made?
2 Chronicles 18:1

4. Ill-advised Peace Joined forces with Ahab
2 Chronicles 18:2-3; 1 Kings 22:4
Continued, in spite of Micaiah’s warning
1 Kings 22:5-29
Almost got him killed
1 Kings 22:30-33
Rebuked by Jehu the seer
2 Chronicles 19:1-2
Didn’t learn his lesson
2 Chronicles 20:35-37; 2 Kings 3:4-7

5. Consequences of peace Jehoshaphat lost his son to evil
2 Kings 8:16-18; 2 Chronicles 21:5-6
Jehoram’s wickedness
Murdered his brothers – 2 Chronicles 21:1-4
Restored idolatry – 2 Chronicles 21:11
Punished by God – 2 Chronicles 21:12-19
Good riddance! – 2 Chronicles 21:18-20

6. Application We are to be peacemakers.
Matthew 5:9; Romans 12:17- 18
Sometimes a sword, not peace, is required
Matthew 10:34-36
This is why Christians are warned about making peace with the wrong people.
1 Corinthians 15:33; James 4:4
If peace is the more difficult thing to do than it is likely to be the right thing to do.
If peace is the easier thing to do, than it is likely to be the wrong thing to do.

7. Application Keep the peace but fail to be prudent.
Proverbs 27:12
1 Kings 22:5-8, 30; 2 Chron. 20:37; 2 Kings 8:18
Keep the peace with those in sin within the congregation/family and be leavened.
1 Corinthians 5:1-8, 11; 1 Timothy 5:20
Prudence - “careful good judgment that allows someone to avoid danger or risks” merriam-webster.com

8. Application
Keep the peace with those of the world and become God’s enemy.
James 4:4; 1 John 2:15
Keep the peace with those who cause trouble and destroy unity.
Titus 3:10; Galatians 5:20; James 3:13-18
Prudence - “careful good judgment that allows someone to avoid danger or risks” merriam-webster.com

9. Application
Keep the peace with those who accept/teach false doctrine and contaminate the gospel
Romans 16:17; 2 Timothy 2:15-18; 4:14-15; Galatians 2:1-5
2 Corinthians 4:1-2

10. Consider
The wicked, false teachers, worldly and factious desire peace with the righteous!
Where there is peace there is no exposure!
Ephesians 5:11
Where there is peace, their contamination of the righteous can continue!
1 Corinthians 5:6

11. Conclusion Who is benefitted by ill-advised peace?
The righteous? Risk being influenced; they put at risk their prudence, children, faith, the gospel
The wicked? Deeds are never exposed; No rebuke-no repentance-loss of heaven
NO ONE!

12. Conclusion Who is benefitted when peace is refused?
The righteous? Helps them stay righteous!
The wicked? Helps them see their wickedness!
EVERYONE!

13. The Peacemaker
Jehoshaphat
– Richmond, MO