To whom it may concern ∙∙∙
A Syrian soldier, however, randomly shot an arrow at the Israelite troops and hit the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. – 2 Chronicles 18:33
1 Kings 21:17-20
17 But the LORD said to Elijah,
18 “Go down to meet King Ahab of Israel, who rules in Samaria.”
19 “Give him this message: ‘This is what the LORD says: Wasn’t it enough that you killed Naboth? Must you rob him, too? Because you have done this, dogs will lick your blood at the very place where they licked the blood of Naboth!’”
20 “So, my enemy, you have found me!” Ahab exclaimed to Elijah. “Yes,” Elijah answered, “I have come because you have sold yourself to what is evil in the LORD’s sight.
Job 1:21 The LORD gives, and the LORD takes away.
Stray Bullets
Stray bullets are often defined in several ways. One definition describes a stray bullet as a bullet that travels beyond its intended shooting area and injures a human being. Another defines it as a bullet that strikes an unintended target. Stray bullet injuries or fatalities can occur due to various reasons, including missed targets while hunting or sport shooting, accidental or careless discharges, getting caught in a crossfire, or even celebratory gunfire.
These incidents are frequently referred to as freak accidents or acts of God, with phrases like “in the wrong place at the wrong time” used to describe the tragedy. Such events are considered unpredictable, uncontrollable, and impossible to prevent.
The Probability of Accidental Death from Stray Bullets
The odds of accidental death from a stray bullet are approximately 1 in 8,500 (Source: iii.org). To provide some context, here are other risks by comparison:
- Heart Disease: 1 in 6
- Cancer: 1 in 7
- Suicide: 1 in 86
- Opioid Overdoses: 1 in 98
- Automobile Accidents: 1 in 106
- Drowning: 1 in 1,121
- Choking on Food: 1 in 2,618
- Sunstroke: 1 in 7,770
- Cataclysmic Storms: 1 in 54,669
- Dog Attacks: 1 in 118,776
- Lightning: 1 in 180,746
- Shark Bites: 1 in 3,750,000
These numbers help underline just how rare and unexpected stray bullet incidents are.
What About Stray Arrows?
The Bible contains numerous stories that you just can’t make up. One includes the story, and one of them involves a “stray arrow. “So it was with the account of Ahab, king of Israel, and Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, during the time of the divided kingdom. The ten northern tribes were known as Israel, and the two southern tribes were called Judah.
Jehoshaphat was a God-fearing and righteous king, while Ahab was wicked. Despite their differences, Ahab managed to persuade Jehoshaphat to join forces in battle. However, Ahab’s fate was already sealed.
A Prophecy of Death
The prophet Micaiah warned Ahab of his impending death. Micaiah declared a prophetic vision in which Ahab’s demise was certain.
2 Chronicles 18:16-18 shares this account: Micaiah told him, “In a vision, I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, like sheep without a shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘Their master has been killed. Send them home in peace.’ Then Micaiah continued, “Listen to what the LORD says! I saw the LORD sitting on his throne with all the armies of heaven around him, on his right and on his left.”
Ahab was a doomed man whose fate was inevitable. Despite the warning, Ahab went into battle. He dressed himself in disguise, hoping to avoid harm, but a random arrow shot by an unknown archer struck him and ultimately led to his death, fulfilling Micaiah’s prophecy.
REFLECT & PRAY
The events that occur in life are often beyond human control. We cannot predict or prevent every circumstance. However, the omniscient Father knows the future before it happens. God is sovereign and has dominion over time and events. Through prophecy, He demonstrates His supreme power and control.
Father, thank You that You are sovereign. What appears to us to be random and unpredictable is, in fact, known to You in advance and under Your control. There are no stray arrows. Help us to trust in Your ultimate design and know that nothing happens outside of Your will.
INSIGHT
Ahab’s Desperate Attempt to Escape Fate
Faced with the Father’s prediction, delivered through Micaiah, Ahab took extreme measures to protect himself. Despite knowing his doom was foretold, Ahab refused to leave the battlefield immediately or submit to divine will. Instead, he resorted to deception and disguise, going so far as to transfer potential danger onto Jehoshaphat.
2 Chronicles 18:29 recounts Ahab’s plan, “The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, ‘As we go into battle, I will disguise myself so no one will recognize me, but you wear your royal robes.’ So the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle.”
Despite his efforts, Ahab’s attempts were futile. What seemed to be a “freak accident” was, in reality, the divine fulfillment of prophecy. The Father ensured the kill shot reached its predestined target. Thompson writes, “The random arrow shot by an anonymous archer was guided by the Lord to its target, and Ahab was mortally wounded.”
The Sovereign Hand Behind the Arrow
The command to target only the king of Israel came from the king of Syria himself. 2 Chronicles 18:30 says, “Meanwhile, the king of Syria had issued these orders to his chariot commanders: ‘Attack only the king of Israel! Don’t bother with anyone else.’”
Jehoshaphat, wearing his royal robes, appeared to be the prime target.
2 Chronicles 18:31-32 further describes the scene: “So when the Syrian chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat in his royal robes, they went after him. ‘There is the king of Israel!’ they shouted. But Jehoshaphat called out, and the LORD saved him. God helped him by turning the attackers away from him. As soon as the chariot commanders realized he was not the king of Israel, they stopped chasing him.”
A Syrian archer released a single arrow, and the general direction of the Army of Israel was intended to strike no one in particular. Everyone present would have thought the arrow had written on, “To whom it may concern.” However, in actuality, this arrow bore Ahab’s name. It pierced the narrow opening of his armor, delivering a fatal wound. Amidst the chaos, the Father fulfilled Micaiah’s prophecy about Ahab’s demise.
Jehoshaphat’s Deliverance
Jehoshaphat, although in a precarious situation, was spared because he called upon the Lord. The Father responded to his prayer for help, turned the attackers away, and protected him despite his reckless alliance with Ahab. Yet, the Father has some choice words of confrontation for Jehoshaphat.
2 Chronicles 19:2 states: “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the LORD.”
Ahab’s attempt to deflect danger onto Jehoshaphat revealed his cunning intent. The irony? Ahab, disguised to avoid attention, met his end, while Jehoshaphat, clothed in royal robes and fully exposed, remained untouched.
Prophecy Fulfilled
Ahab’s death fulfilled the divine prophecy with precise detail.
1 Kings 22:37-38 records: “So the king died and was brought to Samaria, and they buried the king in Samaria. They washed the chariot by the pool of Samaria, and the dogs licked up his blood… according to the word of the LORD which He spoke.”
The prophecy was fulfilled. Stanley notes that, “The Lord helped Jehoshaphat out of a tight spot that he never should have been in. God’s grace covers a multitude of our sins.”
The Father’s Sovereignty in All Things
Reflecting on these events, we see that human control is limited, if not illusory. The Father’s will prevails in ways both seen and unseen. Regarding the fulfillment of His purposes, three logical possibilities arise:
- The Father is in control.
- People are in control.
- Nobody is in control, and everything is random.
The Scriptures affirm the authority of the Father through His prior revelation of events. Isaiah 48:5 declares, “I told you what would happen; I told you beforehand what I was going to do.”
The story of Ahab and Jehoshaphat serves as a reminder of the Father’s sovereignty in all things. No event is random, no arrow stray, and no prophecy unfulfilled. Like Jehoshaphat, we often find ourselves in precarious situations due to our own choices. Yet Your mercy protects and restores us.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯5-30-3
© Dr. H 2025
Dr H Reflections 