Compare 2 Chronicles 18:11 with Proverbs 11:14 on seeking wise counsel. Reading the Two Verses “All the prophets were prophesying the same, saying, ‘Go up to Ramoth-gilead and triumph, for the LORD will deliver it into the hand of the king.’” “For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with an abundance of counselors there is deliverance.” Surface Similarity: Many Voices, One Goal • Both passages mention multiple counselors (“all the prophets,” “an abundance of counselors”). • Both use the language of victory or deliverance (“triumph,” “deliverance”). • At first glance, 2 Chronicles appears to illustrate Proverbs 11:14. But the outcome in the narrative shows otherwise. Digging Deeper: Quantity vs. Quality • 2 Chronicles 18:11 shows 400 prophets agreeing, yet their counsel is false; God later reveals they are under a lying spirit (v. 22). • Proverbs 11:14 assumes the counselors are truly wise—those who fear the LORD and speak truth (cf. Psalm 1:1–2). • Lesson: A crowd can sound convincing, but if it contradicts God’s revealed Word, it is dangerous. What Makes Counsel “Wise”? • Anchored in God’s truth (Psalm 119:24). • Tested against Scripture (Acts 17:11). • Willing to confront rather than flatter (Proverbs 27:6; Galatians 2:11-14). • Confirmed by godly character and fruit (Matthew 7:16-18). Consequences Illustrated in 2 Chronicles 18 • Ahab trusts the majority and dies in battle (vv. 33-34). • Jehoshaphat barely escapes, learning the cost of partnering with ungodly counsel (19:1-3). • The narrative turns Proverbs 11:14 into a warning: abundance minus discernment leads to disaster. Practical Takeaways for Today • Seek multiple voices, but vet them by Scripture. • Value the lone, faithful voice (like Micaiah, v. 13) over a chorus of flattering voices. • Refuse counsel that panders to personal desires (2 Timothy 4:3). • Invite accountability; wise friends prevent catastrophe (Proverbs 27:17). • Remember: real deliverance comes when counsel aligns with the Lord’s unchanging Word. Complementary Scriptures • Deuteronomy 13:1-4 — test prophets by fidelity to God. • Isaiah 8:20 — “To the law and to the testimony!” • James 3:17 — characteristics of wisdom from above. • 2 Timothy 3:16 — Scripture as the ultimate counselor. |
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