1 Kings 22

1 Kings 22:1

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.

1 Kings 22:2

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. 1 Kings 22:48, 1 Kings 22:49.

1 Kings 22:3

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 (1 Kings 16:34, 1 Kings 16:20, 1 Kings 16:43,) by Benhadad I from Omri, which his son Ben-hadad II agreed to restore.

1 Kings 22:6

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.

1 Kings 22:7

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

1 Kings 22:10

void place = level place, or threshing-floor.

1 Kings 22:13

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.

1 Kings 22:15

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.

1 Kings 22:16

shall: or must.

1 Kings 22:18

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

1 Kings 22:19

heaven = the heavens, as always.

1 Kings 22:20

persuade = entice.

1 Kings 22:21

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

1 Kings 22:22

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,

1 Kings 22:23

spoken: in 1 Kings 22:17.

1 Kings 22:24

Which way. ? or, Which way then?

1 Kings 22:27

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

1 Kings 22:28

People = peoples.

every one = all.

1 Kings 22:30

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

1 Kings 22:32

it = he.

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

1 Kings 22:34

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 is Jehoshaphat’s. Hence nothing about Jehovah’s help.

1 Kings 22:35

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.

1 Kings 22:36

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.

1 Kings 22:40

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

1 Kings 22:41

Jehoshaphat. Compare 2 Chronicles 17:1.

1 Kings 22:43

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.

1 Kings 22:46

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

1 Kings 22:47

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

1 Kings 22:48

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.

1 Kings 22:50

buried: in further explanation of preceding clause.