1 Kings 22:1-8

Bad Company.

According to the order of the chapters in the LXX ; which is probably the original or true order, 1 Kings 20:1-43 . should immediately precede this. Then, after the history of the war between Ahab and Ben-hadad, this chapter opens naturally: "And they continued three years without war between Syria and Israel." In the third year of this peace Jehoshaphat visited Ahab; and from this visit arose serious events, which are admonitory to us that we should avoid the company of the wicked.

I. BAD COMPANY COMPROMISES CHARACTER .

1 . It injures morals .

2 . It damages reputation .

3 . It impairs influence .

(1) This follows. Character is influence. Reputation is influence. Advice will be readily received from a genuine man, which coming from an artificial character would be spurned.

II. BAD COMPANY COMPROMISES HAPPINESS . Because—

1 . Happiness is involved in character .

2 . Goodness is grieved in it .

3 . It leads the most wary into trouble . For the persuasions of the wicked are subtle.

4 . It provokes judgments of God.