Bible Commentaries
2 Chronicles 18

Introduction

Overview

2 Chronicles 18:1, Jehoshaphat, joined in affinity with Ahab, is persuaded to go with him against Ramoth-gilead; 2 Chronicles 18:4, Ahab, seduced by false prophets, according to the word of Micaiah, is slain there.

Verse 1

am 3107, bc 897

riches: 2 Chronicles 1:11-15, 2 Chronicles 17:5, 2 Chronicles 17:12, Matthew 6:33

joined affinity: He took Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab, to be wife to his son Joram - 2 Kings 8:18, which fatal connection was highly displeasing to God, and Jehoshaphat was severely reproved for it by Jehu the seer, 2 Chronicles 19:1-3. 2 Chronicles 18:31, 2 Chronicles 19:2, 2 Chronicles 21:6, 2 Chronicles 22:2, 2 Chronicles 22:3, 1 Kings 16:31-33, 1 Kings 21:25, 2 Kings 8:18, 2 Kings 8:26, 2 Kings 8:27, 2 Kings 11:1, 2 Corinthians 6:14

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 3:1 - affinity 1 Kings 22:2 - Jehoshaphat

Verse 2

after certain years: Heb. at the end of years, 1 Kings 17:7, Nehemiah 13:6, *marg.

he went: 2 Chronicles 19:2, 1 Kings 22:2-28

Ahab: 1 Kings 1:9, Isaiah 22:12, Isaiah 22:13, Luke 17:27-29

persuaded: 1 Kings 22:4, 1 Kings 22:20-22

Ramothgilead: Deuteronomy 4:43, Joshua 20:8, 1 Kings 4:13, 2 Kings 9:1

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 8:28 - he went

Verse 3

I am as thou: 1 Kings 22:4, 2 Kings 3:7, Psalms 139:21, Ephesians 5:11, 2 John 1:10, 2 John 1:11

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 8:28 - he went 1 Chronicles 19:6 - Zobah 2 Chronicles 16:3 - a league 2 Chronicles 19:2 - Shouldest 2 Chronicles 22:5 - Ramothgilead

Verse 4

Inquire: 2 Chronicles 34:26, 1 Samuel 23:2, 1 Samuel 23:2, 1 Samuel 23:4, 1 Samuel 23:9-12, 2 Samuel 2:1, 2 Samuel 5:19, 2 Samuel 5:23, 1 Kings 22:5, 1 Kings 22:6, Psalms 27:4, Jeremiah 21:2, Ezekiel 20:3

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 35:22 - the mouth 2 Timothy 4:3 - but

Verse 5

prophets: 1 Kings 18:19, 2 Kings 3:13, 2 Timothy 4:3

Shall we go: Jeremiah 38:14-28, Jeremiah 42:2, Jeremiah 42:3, Jeremiah 42:20

Go up: 2 Chronicles 18:14, 2 Chronicles 18:20, 2 Chronicles 18:21, Jeremiah 8:10, Jeremiah 8:11, Jeremiah 23:14, Jeremiah 23:17, Jeremiah 28:1-17, Ezekiel 13:3-16, Ezekiel 13:22, Micah 2:11, Micah 3:11, Revelation 19:20

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 12:9 - General 1 Kings 22:5 - Inquire 1 Chronicles 19:6 - Zobah 2 Chronicles 18:11 - all the prophets Jeremiah 23:31 - He Romans 16:18 - by

Verse 6

Is there not: 1 Kings 22:7-9, 2 Kings 3:11-13

besides: Heb. yet, or more

Verse 7

one man: 1 Kings 18:4, 1 Kings 19:10

I hate him: 1 Kings 18:17, 1 Kings 20:42, 1 Kings 20:43, 1 Kings 21:20, Psalms 34:21, Psalms 55:3, Psalms 69:14, Proverbs 9:8, Proverbs 29:10, Jeremiah 18:18, Amos 5:10, Mark 6:18, Mark 6:19, Mark 6:27, Luke 6:22, John 7:7, John 15:18, John 15:19, John 15:24, Galatians 4:16

good: Isaiah 30:10, Jeremiah 38:4

me: 2 Chronicles 18:13, 2 Kings 9:22, Ezekiel 3:17-19, Acts 20:26, Acts 20:27

Let not the: Proverbs 25:12, Micah 2:7

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 22:7 - Is there not 2 Chronicles 18:17 - Did I not tell 2 Chronicles 18:22 - and the Lord 2 Chronicles 19:2 - hate the Lord Proverbs 15:12 - neither

Verse 8

officers: or, eunuchs, 1 Samuel 8:15, 1 Chronicles 28:1, *marg. Isaiah 39:7, Daniel 1:3, Daniel 1:7, Daniel 1:8

Fetch quickly: Heb. hasten, 2 Chronicles 18:25, 2 Chronicles 18:26, 1 Kings 22:9

Verse 9

sat either: 1 Kings 22:10-12, Isaiah 14:9, Ezekiel 26:16, Daniel 7:9, Matthew 19:28

clothed: 2 Chronicles 18:29, Matthew 6:29, Matthew 11:8

void place: or, floor, Threshing-floors, among the ancient Jews, as we have before remarked, were only, as they are to this day in the East, round level plats of ground in the open air. Hence a floor might well be near the gate of Samaria, which was built on a hill, and afford no improper place for the kings of Judah and Israel to give audience to the prophets.

all the prophets: Jeremiah 27:14-16

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 19:6 - Zobah

Verse 10

horns of iron: Mr. Bruce, in describing the head-dress of the governors of Abyssinia, says, "A large broad fillet was bound upon their forehead, and tied behind their head: in the middle of this was a horn, or conical piece of silver, gilt, about four inches long, much in the shape of our common candle extinguishers. This is called kirn, keren, and is only worn in reviews, or parades after victory." Such, it may be supposed, were the horns of iron which Zedekiah (who appears to have acted the hero returning from a military triumph) made for himself, when he presumed, in the name of Jehovah, to flatter his prince with the promise of victory: "Thus saith the Lord, With these thou shalt push Syria, until they be consumed." Jeremiah 27:2, Jeremiah 28:10-14, Zechariah 1:18-21, 2 Timothy 3:8

Thus: Jeremiah 23:17, Jeremiah 23:21, Jeremiah 23:25, Jeremiah 23:31, Jeremiah 28:2-3, Jeremiah 29:21, Ezekiel 13:7, Ezekiel 22:28

they be consumed: Heb. thou consume them

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 33:17 - he shall push 2 Chronicles 18:23 - Zedekiah Jeremiah 28:11 - Thus

Verse 11

all the prophets: 2 Chronicles 18:5, 2 Chronicles 18:12, 2 Chronicles 18:33, 2 Chronicles 18:34, Proverbs 24:24, Proverbs 24:25, Micah 3:5, 2 Peter 2:1-3, Jude 1:16, Revelation 16:13, Revelation 16:14, Revelation 19:20

Reciprocal: Isaiah 44:25 - frustrateth

Verse 12

Behold: Job 22:13, Psalms 10:11, Isaiah 30:10, Hosea 7:3, Amos 7:13, Micah 2:6, Micah 2:11, 1 Corinthians 2:14-16

assent: Heb. mouth, Joshua 9:2, *marg.

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 22:14 - what the Lord 2 Chronicles 18:11 - all the prophets Ezekiel 13:10 - others Romans 16:18 - by

Verse 13

even what my God: Numbers 22:18-20, Numbers 22:35, Numbers 23:12, Numbers 23:26, Numbers 24:13, 1 Kings 22:14, Jeremiah 23:28, Jeremiah 42:4, Ezekiel 2:7, Micah 2:6, Micah 2:7, Acts 20:27, 1 Corinthians 11:23, 2 Corinthians 2:17, Galatians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 2:4

Reciprocal: Numbers 22:38 - the word 2 Chronicles 18:7 - me Jeremiah 1:7 - for thou shalt Hosea 9:17 - My God Mark 12:14 - carest Philippians 4:19 - God

Verse 14

Go ye up: 1 Kings 18:27, 1 Kings 22:15, Ecclesiastes 11:1, Lamentations 4:21, Amos 4:4, Amos 4:5, Matthew 26:45

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 22:6 - Go up 2 Chronicles 18:5 - Go up 2 Chronicles 25:8 - be strong

Verse 15

shall I adjure: 1 Samuel 14:24, 1 Kings 22:16, Matthew 26:63, Mark 5:7, Acts 19:13

Reciprocal: Leviticus 5:1 - hear 2 Chronicles 18:26 - Put Jeremiah 38:14 - I will 1 Thessalonians 5:27 - I charge

Verse 16

he said: Matthew 26:64

as sheep: 2 Chronicles 18:33, 2 Chronicles 18:34, 1 Kings 22:17, 1 Kings 22:34-36, Jeremiah 23:1, Jeremiah 23:2, Ezekiel 34:5, Ezekiel 34:6, Ezekiel 34:8, Zechariah 10:2, Zechariah 13:7, Matthew 9:36, Mark 6:34

master: 2 Samuel 2:7, 2 Samuel 5:2, 2 Kings 10:3

Reciprocal: Numbers 27:17 - as sheep

Verse 17

Did I not tell: 2 Chronicles 18:7, 1 Kings 22:18, Proverbs 29:1, Jeremiah 43:2, Jeremiah 43:3

but evil: or, but for evil

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 21:20 - Hast thou found me 1 Kings 22:17 - as sheep 2 Chronicles 18:22 - and the Lord Jeremiah 27:15 - that I

Verse 18

hear the word: Isaiah 1:10, Isaiah 28:14, Isaiah 39:5, Jeremiah 2:4, Jeremiah 19:3, Jeremiah 34:4, Amos 7:16

I saw: 1 Kings 22:19-23, Isaiah 6:1-5, Daniel 7:9, Acts 7:55, Acts 7:56

all the host: Genesis 32:2, Psalms 103:20, Psalms 103:21, Zechariah 1:10

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 13:2 - prophesy against Amos 9:1 - I saw Zechariah 6:5 - go 2 Thessalonians 2:11 - God Revelation 16:14 - the spirits

Verse 19

Who shall entice: 1 Kings 22:20, Job 12:16, Isaiah 6:9, Isaiah 6:10, Isaiah 54:16, Ezekiel 14:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:11, 2 Thessalonians 2:12, James 1:13, James 1:14

go up: 2 Chronicles 25:8, 2 Chronicles 25:19, Proverbs 11:5

Reciprocal: Judges 9:23 - God 2 Chronicles 18:21 - Thou shalt 2 Chronicles 18:34 - he died Jeremiah 23:31 - He Micah 2:11 - a man Zechariah 6:5 - go 1 Corinthians 2:4 - not 1 Timothy 4:1 - seducing

Verse 20

there came: Job 1:6, Job 2:1, 2 Corinthians 11:3, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 18:5 - Go up 2 Chronicles 25:16 - determined John 8:44 - When

Verse 21

1 Kings 22:21, 1 Kings 22:22, John 8:44, 1 John 4:6, Revelation 12:9, Revelation 13:14, Revelation 20:8

a lying spirit: 2 Chronicles 18:22, Genesis 3:4, Genesis 3:5

Thou shalt: 2 Chronicles 18:19, Judges 9:23, Job 1:12, Job 2:6, Psalms 109:17

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 18:5 - Go up 2 Chronicles 25:16 - determined

Verse 22

the lord hath: Exodus 4:21, Job 12:16, Isaiah 19:14, Ezekiel 14:3-5, Ezekiel 14:9, Matthew 24:24, Matthew 24:25, 2 Corinthians 11:11-13, 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11, 1 Timothy 4:1, 1 Timothy 4:2

and the Lord: 2 Chronicles 18:7, 2 Chronicles 18:17, 2 Chronicles 25:18, Isaiah 3:11, Jeremiah 18:11, Micah 2:3, Matthew 26:24, Matthew 26:25, Mark 14:20, Mark 14:21

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 18:21 - a lying spirit Jeremiah 28:11 - Thus

Verse 23

Zedekiah: 2 Chronicles 18:10, 1 Kings 22:23-25, Isaiah 50:5, Isaiah 50:6, Jeremiah 20:2, Lamentations 3:30, Micah 5:1, Matthew 26:67, Mark 14:65, John 18:22, John 18:23, Acts 23:2, Acts 23:3

Which way: Jeremiah 29:26, Jeremiah 29:27, Matthew 26:67, Matthew 26:68, John 9:40, John 9:41

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 22:24 - smote Micaiah Job 16:10 - they have smitten Jeremiah 23:18 - who Jeremiah 28:11 - Thus Luke 6:29 - smiteth

Verse 24

Behold: Isaiah 26:11, Jeremiah 28:16-17, Jeremiah 29:21-22, Jeremiah 29:32

into an inner chamber: or, from chamber to chamber, Heb. into a chamber in a chamber. "In one of the halls of the seraglio at Constantinople," says Deut. Lam. Motraye, "the eunuch made us pass by several little chambers, with doors shut, like the cells of monks or nuns, as far as I could judge by one that another eunuch opened." This exactly corresponds with the idea of a "chamber within a chamber;" and it would appear that Micaiah predicted that Zedekiah should fly for shelter to a Harem, which we have seen was deemed inviolate. - See note on 1 Samuel 19:16. 1 Kings 20:30, Isaiah 26:20

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 22:24 - smote Micaiah

Verse 25

and carry him back: 2 Chronicles 18:8, Jeremiah 37:15-21, Jeremiah 38:6, Jeremiah 38:7, Acts 24:25-27

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 13:4 - Lay hold 1 Kings 22:27 - Put this fellow 2 Chronicles 25:16 - Art thou made

Verse 26

Put: 2 Chronicles 18:15, 2 Chronicles 16:10, 1 Kings 22:26-28, Jeremiah 20:2, Jeremiah 20:3, Matthew 5:12, Luke 3:19, Luke 3:20, Acts 5:18, 2 Corinthians 11:23, Revelation 11:10

this fellow: 1 Samuel 25:21, Matthew 12:24, Luke 23:2, Acts 22:22

bread of affliction: Psalms 80:5, Psalms 102:9, Isaiah 30:20

until I return: Deuteronomy 29:19, Psalms 10:5, Proverbs 14:16, 1 Thessalonians 5:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:3

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 18:8 - Fetch quickly Jeremiah 29:26 - that thou Jeremiah 37:15 - put

Verse 27

If: Numbers 16:29, Amos 9:10, Acts 13:10, Acts 13:11

Hearken: Matthew 13:9, Matthew 15:10, Mark 7:14, Luke 20:45, Luke 20:46

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 22:28 - Hearken 2 Chronicles 18:34 - he died

Verse 28

the king: 1 Kings 22:29-33

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 19:2 - Shouldest

Verse 29

I will disguise: 1 Samuel 28:8, 1 Kings 14:2-6, 1 Kings 20:38, Job 24:15, Jeremiah 23:24

put thou on thy robes: Psalms 12:2, Proverbs 26:25

the king: 2 Chronicles 35:22, 2 Chronicles 35:23

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 22:30 - disguised himself 2 Kings 3:7 - wilt thou go 2 Chronicles 18:9 - clothed

Verse 30

Fight ye: 1 Kings 20:33, 1 Kings 20:34, 1 Kings 20:42

small or great: 2 Chronicles 15:13, Genesis 19:11, Deuteronomy 1:17

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 22:31 - thirty and two 1 Kings 22:34 - wounded 2 Chronicles 34:30 - great and small

Verse 31

Jehoshaphat: 2 Chronicles 13:14, 2 Chronicles 14:11, Exodus 14:10, Psalms 116:1, Psalms 116:2, 2 Corinthians 1:9, 2 Corinthians 1:10

the Lord: 2 Chronicles 26:7, Psalms 34:7, Psalms 46:1, Psalms 46:11, Psalms 94:17, Psalms 118:13

God moved them: Ezra 1:1, Ezra 7:27, Nehemiah 1:11, Proverbs 16:7, Proverbs 21:1

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 8:44 - shall pray 1 Kings 22:32 - Jehoshaphat 2 Kings 8:28 - he went 1 Chronicles 5:20 - for they cried 2 Chronicles 6:34 - they pray 2 Chronicles 18:1 - joined affinity 2 Chronicles 19:1 - in peace 2 Chronicles 22:5 - Ramothgilead Proverbs 16:1 - preparations

Verse 32

from pursuing him: Heb. from after him, 1 Kings 22:33

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 19:1 - in peace

Verse 33

a certain man: 1 Kings 22:34

at a venture: Heb. in his simplicity, 2 Samuel 15:11

between the: etc. Heb. between the joints and between the breast plate, The shiryon, in Syriac, sheryono, seems to have covered both the back and breast of the warrior, and was consequently not properly a breast-plate, but a coat of mail or corslet. The corslet was made of flax or of wool woven very thick, of ox-hide, of brass, or of iron. The metallic corslet consisted not of solid piece, but of scales, hooks, or rings, connected like the links of a chain, that the warrior might move with greater ease. It was between the joints of this harness that Ahab received his mortal wound. 1 Kings 22:34, 1 Kings 22:35

wounded: Heb. made sick, 2 Chronicles 35:23

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 20:42 - thy life shall go 2 Chronicles 18:11 - all the prophets 2 Chronicles 18:16 - as sheep

Verse 34

he died: 2 Chronicles 18:16, 2 Chronicles 18:19, 2 Chronicles 18:27, Numbers 32:23, Proverbs 13:21, Proverbs 28:17

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 20:42 - thy life shall go 2 Chronicles 18:11 - all the prophets Isaiah 44:25 - frustrateth