Bible Commentaries
1 Kings 22

Verse 1

three years. Probably reckoned from the peace of 1 Kings 20:34 . During this time Jehoshaphat "strengthened himself against Israel" (2 Chronicles 17:1 ): not mentioned here because esoteric. See book comments for 1 Kings.

Verse 2

came down. In every sense of the word; and this after 2 Chronicles 17:1 . First was the matrimonial alliance (2 Chronicles 18:1 ), compare 2 Kings 8:18 ; and then the military alliance (1 Kings 22:4 and 2 Chronicles 18:3 ). No mention here of the former, which was the secret cause that led up to it. Both fatal. Compare the commercial alliance of Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20:35-37 , and the experience gained by Jehoshaphat in Ch. 1Ki 22:48 , 1 Kings 22:49 .

Verse 3

And the king of Israel. Note the Figure of speech Anadiplosis ( App-6 ) with 1 Kings 22:2 .

Ramoth. One of the Cities of Refuge.

ours. Given by Jehovah. Therefore presumably a "good work" to take it. But "good works" are "prepared works" (Ephesians 2:10 ), and this was not so prepared. See 2 Chronicles 19:1 , 2 Chronicles 19:2 .

Syria. Probably taken in former war ( 1Ki 16:34 , 1 Kings 16:20 , 1Ki 16:43 ,) by Benhadad I from Omri, which his son Ben-hadad II agreed to restore.

Verse 6

prophets: i.e. Ahab's false prophets.

for = and.

the Lord*. This is one of the 134 places where "Jehovah" was changed to "Adonai" by the Sopherim . See App-32 .

Verse 7

besides. Jehoshaphat uneasy, well knowing that Ahab's prophets were not the prophets of Jehovah.

Verse 10

void place = level place, or threshing-floor.

Verse 13

word. So to be read; but written "words". In some codices, with three early printed editions, Syriac, and Vulgate, it is both written and read "word". Compare 2 Chronicles 18:12 .

Verse 15

Go, and prosper. Figure of speech Eironeia. App-6 . Doubtless repeating the words he had heard in verses: 1 Kings 22:6 , 1 Kings 22:13 .

Verse 16

shall: or must.

Verse 18

Did I not. ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

Verse 19

heaven = the heavens, as always.

Verse 20

persuade = entice.

Verse 21

a spirit = the spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

Verse 22

Thou shalt, &c. Illustrating 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 . Compare Ezekiel 14:9 , "I have deceived" = I have permitted it. This is quite in harmony with Proverbs 12:22 . That refers to the sphere of God's grace ; this to the sphere of His judgment. We are governed by His Word, not by His ways. Proverbs 12:22 refers to the world of men. This to the world of spirits,

Verse 23

spoken: in 1 Kings 22:17 .

Verse 24

Which way. ? or, Which way then?

Verse 27

Put this fellow, &c. One of the eleven rulers offended with God's servants for speaking the truth. See note on Exodus 10:28 .

Verse 28

People = peoples.

every one = all.

Verse 30

I will. See note on 1 Kings 22:22 . A feigned compliment. and piece of treachery.

Verse 32

it = he.

cried out. See note on 2 Chronicles 18:31 .

Verse 34

at a venture = in his innocence, or to its full stretch.

harness = coat of mail.

Turn thine hand. This is Ahab's history; 2 Chronicles 18:0 is Jehoshaphat's. Hence nothing about Jehovah's help.

Verse 35

was stayed up = stayed himself up, as in 2 Chronicles 18:34 . Difference caused by pointing of the word ma'amid (here), and ma'amid in Chronicles. The only occurrence of this participle, compare 2 Chronicles 18:34 .

Verse 36

Every man. Supply Figure of speech Ellipsis ( App-6 ), "Let every man go".

every man. Omitted in some codices, with two early printed editions, Septuagint, and Vulgate.

Verse 40

slept with his fathers. See note on Deuteronomy 31:16 .

Verse 41

Jehoshaphat. Compare 2 Chronicles 17:1 .

Verse 43

And he walked. The 19th Seder begins here, and ends with 2 Kings 2:14 . See note on p. 866.

offered = sacrificed. See App-43 .

Verse 46

sodomites. See note on 1 Kings 14:23 , 1 Kings 14:24 .

Verse 47

no king. As later in 2 Kings 8:20 .

Verse 48

made ships, &c. This was subsequent to 2 Chronicles 20:36-37 . Here Jehoshaphat made "Tharshish ships" to go to Ophir, and, profiting by the experience and warning of 2 Chronicles 20:37 , refused the request of Aha-ziah, king of Israel. In 2 Chronicles 20:35 he had joined himself with Ahaziah to make (ordinary) ships to go to Tharshish, which was quite a different thing.

ships of Tharshish = Tharshish ships: i. e, large ocean-going ships.

Tharshish. See note on 1 Kings 10:22 .

Verse 50

buried: in further explanation of preceding clause.