II Chronicles 18
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Jehoshaphat had riches and honor - The preceding chapter gives ample proof of this. Joined affinity with Ahab - Took his daughter Athalia to be wife to his son Joram.
Open source ↗JEHOSHAPHAT AND AHAB GO AGAINST RAMOTH-GILEAD. (2Ch. 18:1-34) after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria--This is word for word, the same as 1Ki. 22:1-53. (See commentary on that chapter). Next: 2 Chronicles Chapter 19
Open source ↗Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance,.... Still more and more, see Ch2 17:5, and which moved Ahab to desire friendship and affinity with him, to which Jehoshaphat agreed: and joined affinity with Ahab; king of Israel, married his son Joram to Athaliah, a daughter of Ahab by Jezebel of Zidon; which marriage proved of bad consequence to Jehoshaphat and his family.
Open source ↗The prophet Jehu's declaration as to Jehoshaphat's alliance with Ahab, and Jehoshaphat's further efforts to promote the fear of God and the administration of justice in Judah. - Ch2 19:1-3. Jehu's declaration. Jehoshaphat returned from the war in which Ahab had lost his life, בּשׁלום, i.e., safe, uninjured, to his house in Jerusalem; so that the promise of Micah in Ch2 18:16 was fulfilled also as regards him. But on his return, the seer Jehu, the son of Hanani, who had been thrown into the stocks by Asa (Ch2 16:7.), met him with the reproving word, "Should one help the wicked, and lovest thou the haters of Jahve!" (the inf. with ל, as in Ch1 5:1; Ch1 9:25, etc.). Of these sins Jehoshaphat had been guilty. "And therefore is anger from Jahve upon thee" (על קצף as in Ch1 27:24). Jehoshaphat had already had experience of this wrath, when in the battle of Ramoth the enemy pressed upon him (Ch2 18:31), and was at a later time to have still further experience of it, partly during his own life, when the enemy invaded his land (2 Chron 20), and when he attempted to re-establish the sea trade with Ophir (Ch2 20:35.), partly after his death in his family (2 Chron 21 and Ch2 22:1-12). "But," continues Jehu, to console him, "yet there are good things found in thee (cf. Ch2 12:12), for thou hast destroyed the Asheroth..." אשׁרות = אשׁרים, Ch2 17:6. On these last words, comp. Ch2 12:14 and Ch2 17:4.
Open source ↗Here is, I. Jehoshaphat growing greater. It was said before (Ch2 17:5) that he had riches and honour in abundance; and here it is said again that his wealth and honour increased upon him by piety and good management. II. Not growing wiser, else he would not have joined with Ahab, that degenerate Israelite, who had sold himself to work wickedness. What good could he get by a man that was so bad? What good could he do to a man that was so obstinately wicked - an idolater, a persecutor? With him he joined in affinity, that is, married his son Jehoram to Ahab's daughter Athaliah. 1. This was the worst match that ever was made by any of the house of David. I wonder what Jehoshaphat could promise himself by it. (1.) Perhaps pride made the match, as it does many a one, which speeds accordingly. His religion forbade him to marry his son to a daughter of any of the heathen princes that were about him - Thou shalt not take their daughters to thy sons; and, having riches and honour in abundance, he thought it a disparagement to marry him to a subject. A king's daughter it must be, and therefore Ahab's, little considering that Jezebel was her mother. (2.) Some think he did it in policy, hoping by this expedient to unite the kingdoms in his son, Ahab perhaps flattering him with hopes that he would make him his heir, when he intended no such thing. 2. This match drew Jehoshaphat, (1.) Into an intimate familiarity with Ahab. He paid him a visit at Samaria, and Ahab, proud of the honour which Jehoshaphat did him, gave him a very splendid entertainment, according to the splendour of those times: He killed sheep and oxen for him, plain meat, in abundance, Ch2 18:2. In this Jehoshaphat did not walk so closely as he should have done in the ways of his father David, who hated the congregati…
Open source ↗18:1-2 Jehoshaphat’s alliance with Ahab led him to compromise his faithfulness to the Lord (see 19:2-3; cp. 2 Cor 6:14-18). The marriage of his son Jehoram (2 Chr 21:1) to Ahab’s daughter Athaliah (22:2) brought Israel’s apostasy into Judah (see 21:5-6, 12-13; 22:1-4).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
יְהוֹשָׁפָט (Yᵉhôwshâphâṭ, H3092) — Jehoshaphat, the name of six Israelites; also of a valley near Jerusalem עֹשֶׁר (ʻôsher, H6239) — wealth כָּבוֹד (kâbôwd, H3519) — properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness רֹב (rôb, H7230) — abundance (in any respect) חָתַן (châthan, H2859) — to give (a daughter) away in marriage; hence (generally) to contract affinity by marriage אַחְאָב (ʼAchʼâb, H256) — Achab, the name of a king of Israel and of a prophet at Babylon
Open source ↗קֵץ (qêts, H7093) — an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… אַחְאָב (ʼAchʼâb, H256) — Achab, the name of a king of Israel and of a prophet at Babylon שֹׁמְרוֹן (Shômᵉrôwn, H8111) — Shomeron, a place in Palestine זָבַח (zâbach, H2076) — to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice) צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men) בָּקָר (bâqâr, H1241) — beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing);… רֹב (rôb, H7230) — abundance (in any respect) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… סוּת (çûwth, H5496) — properly, to prick, i.e. (figuratively) stimulate; by implication, to seduce עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… רָמֹת גִּלעָד (Râmôth Gilʻâd, H7433) — Ramoth-Gilad, a place East of the Jordan גִּלְעָד (Gilʻâd, H1568) — Gilad, a region East of the Jordan; also the name of three Israelites
Open source ↗אַחְאָב (ʼAchʼâb, H256) — Achab, the name of a king of Israel and of a prophet at Babylon מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהוֹשָׁפָט (Yᵉhôwshâphâṭ, H3092) — Jehoshaphat, the name of six Israelites; also of a valley near Jerusalem יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) רָמֹת גִּלעָד (Râmôth Gilʻâd, H7433) — Ramoth-Gilad, a place East of the Jordan גִּלְעָד (Gilʻâd, H1568) — Gilad, a region East of the Jordan; also the name of three Israelites עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare)
Open source ↗יְהוֹשָׁפָט (Yᵉhôwshâphâṭ, H3092) — Jehoshaphat, the name of six Israelites; also of a valley near Jerusalem אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity דָּרַשׁ (dârash, H1875) — properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to…
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity קָבַץ (qâbats, H6908) — to grasp, i.e. collect נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) רָמֹת גִּלעָד (Râmôth Gilʻâd, H7433) — Ramoth-Gilad, a place East of the Jordan גִּלְעָד (Gilʻâd, H1568) — Gilad, a region East of the Jordan; also the name of three Israelites מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare) חָדַל (châdal, H2308) — properly, to be flabby, i.e. (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of…
Open source ↗יְהוֹשָׁפָט (Yᵉhôwshâphâṭ, H3092) — Jehoshaphat, the name of six Israelites; also of a valley near Jerusalem אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דָּרַשׁ (dârash, H1875) — properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by…
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהוֹשָׁפָט (Yᵉhôwshâphâṭ, H3092) — Jehoshaphat, the name of six Israelites; also of a valley near Jerusalem אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… דָּרַשׁ (dârash, H1875) — properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שָׂנֵא (sânêʼ, H8130) — to hate (personally) נָבָא (nâbâʼ, H5012) — to prophesy, i.e. speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse) טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) מִיכָיְהוּ (Mîykâyᵉhûw, H4321) — Mikajah, the name of three Israelites
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first סָרִיס (çârîyç, H5631) — a eunuch; by implication, valet (especially of the female apartments), and thus, a… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מָהַר (mâhar, H4116) — properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e. (by implication); to hurry (in a good or a… מִיכָהוּ (Mîykâhûw, H4319) — Mikehu, an Israelite prophet בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִמְלָא (Yimlâʼ, H3229) — Jimla or Jimlah, an Israelite
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity יְהוֹשָׁפָט (Yᵉhôwshâphâṭ, H3092) — Jehoshaphat, the name of six Israelites; also of a valley near Jerusalem יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… כִּסֵּא (kiççêʼ, H3678) — properly, covered, i.e. a throne (as canopied) לָבַשׁ (lâbash, H3847) — properly, wrap around, i.e. (by implication) to put on agarment or clothe (oneself, or… בֶּגֶד (beged, H899) — a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage גֹּרֶן (gôren, H1637) — a threshing-floor (as made even); by analogy, any open area פֶּתַח (pethach, H6607) — an opening (literally), i.e. door (gate) or entrance way שַׁעַר (shaʻar, H8179) — an opening, i.e. door or gate שֹׁמְרוֹן (Shômᵉrôwn, H8111) — Shomeron, a place in Palestine נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man
Open source ↗צִדְקִיָּה (Tsidqîyâh, H6667) — Tsidkijah, the name of six Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… כְּנַעֲנָה (Kᵉnaʻănâh, H3668) — Kenaanah, the name of two Israelites עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application קֶרֶן (qeren, H7161) — a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's… בַּרְזֶל (barzel, H1270) — iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God נָגַח (nâgach, H5055) — to butt with the horns; figuratively, to war against אֲרָם (ʼĂrâm, H758) — Aram or Syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of Shem, a grandson of… כָּלָה (kâlâh, H3615) — to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitived (to complete,…
Open source ↗נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man נָבָא (nâbâʼ, H5012) — to prophesy, i.e. speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… רָמֹת גִּלעָד (Râmôth Gilʻâd, H7433) — Ramoth-Gilad, a place East of the Jordan גִּלְעָד (Gilʻâd, H1568) — Gilad, a region East of the Jordan; also the name of three Israelites צָלַח (tsâlach, H6743) — to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king
Open source ↗מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… מִיכָיְהוּ (Mîykâyᵉhûw, H4321) — Mikajah, the name of three Israelites דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);…
Open source ↗מִיכָיְהוּ (Mîykâyᵉhûw, H4321) — Mikajah, the name of three Israelites אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a…
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מִיכָה (Mîykâh, H4318) — Micah, the name of seven Israelites יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) רָמֹת גִּלעָד (Râmôth Gilʻâd, H7433) — Ramoth-Gilad, a place East of the Jordan גִּלְעָד (Gilʻâd, H1568) — Gilad, a region East of the Jordan; also the name of three Israelites מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare) חָדַל (châdal, H2308) — properly, to be flabby, i.e. (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… צָלַח (tsâlach, H6743) — to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),
Open source ↗Cross-references
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So the LORD established the kingdom in his hand, and all Judah brought him tribute, so that he had an abundance of riches and honor.
And Jehoram walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, just as the house of Ahab had done. For he married a daughter of Ahab and did evil in the sight of the LORD.
And Jehoram walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, just as the house of Ahab had done. For he married a daughter of Ahab and did evil in the sight of the LORD.
Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to confront him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you.
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?
When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “This is the king of Israel!” So they turned to fight against him, but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him. God drew them away from him.
(Surely there was never one like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the LORD, incited by his wife Jezebel.
When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to annihilate all the royal heirs.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.
Jehoshaphat grew stronger and stronger, and he built fortresses and store cities in Judah