Above: The Death of Ahab, by Gustave Dore
Image in the Public Domain
Three Kings and Two Deaths
NOVEMBER 17, 2022
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The Collect:
O God, our true life, to serve you is freedom, and to know you is unending joy.
We worship you, we glorify you, we give thanks to you for your great glory.
Abide with us, reign in us, and make this world into a fit habitation for your divine majesty,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
—Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), page 53
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The Assigned Readings:
2 Chronicles 18:12-22
Psalm 46
Hebrews 9:23-28
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God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
–Psalm 46:1, The Book of Common Prayer (1979)
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The account from 2 Chronicles 18, quite similar to one in 1 Kings 22, agrees with that sentiment and emphasizes the impropriety of a military alliance with an evil ally–in this case, King Ahab of Israel (reigned 873-852 B.C.E.). King Jehoshaphat of Judah (reigned 870-846 B.C.E.) enters into a military alliance with Ahab against Aram, a shared enemy. Only Micaiah, one prophet in a particular group of prophets, says that the planned attack at Ramoth-gilead is a bad idea. He resists pressure to claim otherwise. Micaiah is, of course, correct. Ahab dies. Jehoshaphat survives, to hear from one Jehu son of Hanani of God’s displeasure over the alliance:
For this, wrath is upon you from the LORD. However, there is good in you, for you have purged the land of the sacred posts and have dedicated yourself to worship God.
–2 Chronicles 19:2b-3, TANAKH: The Holy Scriptures (1985)
One can read of the reign of Jehoshaphat in 1 Kings 22:1-51 and 2 Chronicles 17:1-20:37.
Hebrews 9:23-28 concerns itself with the atoning qualities of the crucifixion of Jesus. I, as a student of Christian history, in particular of the development of doctrine and theology, know of three early theories of the Atonement. Two of these include the death of Christ. Penal Substitutionary Atonement does not satisfy me (forgive the double entendre), for it depicts a deity in which to stand in dread, not awe.
I will not be satisfied until people torture and kill my son,
that deity proclaims. The Classic Theory, or Christus Victor, however, places correct emphasis on the resurrection. Without the resurrection we have dead Jesus, who cannot save anyone.
Both Ahab and Jesus died. Ahab, who died foolishly (despite warning) and was idolatrous and evil (consult 1 Kings 16:29-22:40 and 2 Chronicles 18:1-34) had it coming. Jesus, however, was innocent of any offense before God. The death of Ahab brought to the throne of Israel his son, Ahaziah, who followed in his father’s ignominious footsteps (consult 1 Kings 22:52-54; 2 Kings 1:1-18). The death of Jesus, in contrast, played a role in the salvation of the human race from sin.
May we who follow Jesus respond to him, treating him as our savior, not merely another martyr to admire. Grace is free yet not cheap; ask Jesus. It demands much of us, such as that we not be as Kings Ahab and Ahaziah were.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
JUNE 7, 2016 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF FREDERICK LUCIAN HOSMER, U.S. UNITARIAN HYMN WRITER
THE FEAST OF SAINT ANTHONY MARY GIANELLI, FOUNDER OF THE MISSIONARIES OF SAINT ALPHONSUS LIGUORI AND THE SISTERS OF MARY DELL’ORTO
THE FEAST OF CHARLES AUGUSTUS BRIGGS, U.S. PRESBYTERIAN PASTOR THEN EPISCOPAL PRIEST
THE FEAST OF SAINT ROBERT OF NEWMINSTER, ROMAN CATHOLIC ABBOT AND PRIEST
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https://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2016/06/07/three-kings-and-two-deaths/
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ORDINARY TIME DEVOTIONS 
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